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The Sheffield culture guide written by in-the-know locals

Open Up Sheffield

Free

Open Up Sheffield is one of the largest and most successful open studio events outside London, showcasing the creative talent in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire for the past 25 years.

The volunteer-run festival, which takes place over two weekends in spring, features over a hundred artists each year. Their artwork is always varied – with everything from watercolour, oil and acrylic painting to jewellery, ceramics, textiles, crafts, wood, glass, photography, printmaking, digital and mixed media.

Studios tend to span the length and breadth of the city – including Oughtibridge, Parson Cross, Nether Green, Manor Oaks, Kelham Island and even as far out as Hathersage.

See the guide to Open Up 2024.

Open Up exhibition
In the run-up to the festival, visit The Art House for a preview of work by 29 of this year's artists, 8 April–13 May – find out more.

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Eelyn Lee

An artist and filmmaker, exploring race, identity and ‘othering’, and challenging commonly accepted narratives of past, present and future.

Westhill Lane

Book and record shop Rare and Racy is no longer with us but at least we can enjoy the Phlegm mural round back while it's still standing. The cosmic scene features planets hanging from claw machines and astronomers whose eyes bulge through telescopes.

William Mitchell mural

One for fans of concrete: a public artwork by prominent post-war sculptor and some-time Tomorrow’s World presenter William Mitchell, sitting in the shadow of John Lewis.

Roanna Wells

In her monochrome embroideries, Roanna substitutes people with stitches to create stunning, often dramatic, new perspectives on human gatherings. Crowds never looked so pleasing.