Sheffield has the most artists’ studios outside of London, and over 100 artists have made their home at Yorkshire Artspace, either in the light-filled spaces of Persistence Works, slap bang in the city centre, or at YA’s other sites: Exchange Place Studios in Castlegate and Manor Oaks Studios.
Yorkshire Artspace
The public space at the front of Yorkshire Artspace at Persistence Works is often used for artists' residencies and exhibitions. And, once a year, the whole of Yorkshire Artspace's three sites become a gallery. The annual Open Studios is a fantastic opportunity to see inside the working spaces of some of our city’s most creative residents – from ceramicists to jewellers, to furniture makers, to printmakers, painters and sculptors. It’s a chance to smell the ink, wood and paint, to see the presses, looms and potters wheels, and, most importantly, to meet the artists who are continuing Sheffield’s proud tradition of making.
We were invited behind the scenes at Yorkshire Artspace to meet the artists and poke around their studios. It was a real privilege to see the working environments of these incredibly talented people and to watch them at work. Check out our Meet the Locals pages to have a nosey around some of the studios.
- Words by
- Claire Thornley
- Images by
- Nigel Barker
Nearby places
Bear Tree Records
Bear Tree Records, Unit 13-16, The Forum, 127 Devonshire Street, S3 7SB
Open Monday-Tuesday 12-5pm, Wednesday 10am-5:30pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12:30pm-3:30pm
Millennium Gallery
Millennium Gallery, 48 Arundel Gate, S1 2PP
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, bank holidays 11am-4pm
Graves Gallery
Graves Gallery, Surrey Street, S1 2LH
Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-4pm (till 6pm on Wednesday)
APG Works
APG Works, 16-20 Sidney Street, S1 4RH
Open Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm, Saturday 11am-4pm
Bloc Projects
Bloc Projects, 4 Sylvester Street, S1 4RN
Open Wednesday-Saturday 12-6pm during exhibitions
Neighbourhood
Neighbourhood, 342 Glossop Road, S10 2HW
The Goods Store open Monday-Saturday 12-6pm / Brood open Monday-Wednesday 8am-6pm, late night Thursday-Saturday
Sheffield Cathedral
Sheffield Cathedral, Church Street, S1 1HA
Open every day from 8am (closing times vary). Coffee shop open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-3pm.
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Abbeydale Road South, S7 2QW
Open Tuesday-Thursday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 11am-4:45pm
Shepherd Wheel
Shepherd Wheel, Whiteley Woods, Off Hangingwater Road, S11 2YE
Open Saturday-Sunday and bank holiday Monday 10am-4pm (summer) / 11am-3pm (winter)
Portland Works
Portland Works, Randall Street, S2 4SJ
Open the first Tuesday of the month for tours at 2pm by arrangement, and for events/open days
National Emergency Services Museum
National Emergency Services Museum, Old Police/Fire Station, West Bar, S3 8PT
Open Wednesday-Sunday & bank holidays 10am-4pm / every day 10am-4pm during school holidays
Weston Park Museum
Weston Park Museum, Western Bank, S10 2TP
Open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, bank holidays 10am-5pm
Manor Lodge
Manor Lodge, 389 Manor Lane, S2 1UL
Open Sundays April to mid-October 11am-4pm, Tuesday-Friday for craft sessions during Sheffield school holidays, and for special events
Kelham Island Museum
Kelham Island Museum, Alma Street, S3 8RY
Open Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm, Sunday 11am-4:45pm
Bragazzi's
Bragazzi's, 224-226 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FL
Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5:30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Tamper: Sellers Wheel
Tamper: Sellers Wheel, 149 Arundel Street, S1 2NU
Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Friday After Hours 5-10pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 9am-4pm
Marmadukes Cafe Deli
Marmadukes Cafe Deli, 22 Norfolk Row, S1 2PA
Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
Upshot Espresso
Upshot Espresso, 355 Glossop Road, S10 2HP
Open Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm, Saturday 9am-3pm
Forge Bakehouse
Forge Bakehouse, 302 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FL
Open Tuesday-Friday, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-3pm
Kelham Island Books and Music
Kelham Island Books and Music, 284 Shalesmoor, S3 8UL
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5:30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Tamper: Westfield Terrace
Tamper, 9 Westfield Terrace, S1 4GH
Open Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm, Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
Somewhere Else Coffee House
Somewhere Else Coffee House, 965 Ecclesall Road, S11 8TN
Open Tuesday-Thursday 10am-4pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday 10:30am-3pm
The Grind Cafe
The Grind Cafe, Cornwall Works, 3 Green Lane, S3 8SJ
Open Monday-Friday 8am-5:30pm, Saturday 8:30am-5pm, Sunday 9am-5pm
Record Collector
Record Collector, 233-235 Fulwood Road, S10 3BA
Open Monday-Tuesday & Thursday-Saturday 10am-6pm
Tonearm Vinyl
Tonearm Vinyl, 293 South Road, S6 3TA
Open Thursday-Friday 5:30-7pm, Saturday 12-5pm, Sunday 12-4pm
Spinning Discs
Spinning Discs, 55 Chesterfield Road, S8 0RL
Open Wednesday-Friday 12-7:30pm, Saturday 10:30am-5pm, Sunday 11am-3pm
Syd and Mallory's Emporium
Syd and Mallory's Emporium, 158 Devonshire Street, S3 7SX
Open Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm
The York
The York, 243-247 Fulwood Road, S10 3BA
Open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-12am, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-1:30am
The Front Parlour
The Front Parlour, 300 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZL
Open Wednesday & Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm
Sharrow Vale Hardware
Sharrow Vale Hardware, 370-372 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZP
Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-3pm
Made by Jonty
Made by Jonty, 363 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZG
Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday & bank holiday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-3pm
The Mediterranean
The Mediterranean, 271-273 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZF
Open Monday-Saturday 12-2:30pm & 5:30-10:30pm
Starmore Boss
Starmore Boss, 257 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZE
Open Monday-Thursday 11am-6:30pm, Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday (December only) 11am-4pm
Picture House Social
Picture House Social, 383 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FS
Open Monday-Thursday 5pm-12am, Friday 4pm-1am, Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 12pm-12am
Proove
Proove, 261 Fulwood Road, S10 3BD
Open Sunday-Wednesday 11:30am-10:30pm, Thursday-Saturday 11:30am-11pm
Urban Choola
Urban Choola, 842 Ecclesall Road, S11 8TD
Open Tuesday-Friday 5-10:30pm, Saturday 12:30-10:30pm, Sunday 12:30-9:30pm
Patoo
Patoo, 607-609 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PT
Open Sunday-Thursday 12-2:30pm & 6-10:30pm, Friday-Saturday 12-2:30pm & 6-11:30pm
Okeh Cafe
Okeh Cafe, 116 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FF
Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-3pm (till 8pm on Wednesday), Saturday 9am-3pm, Sunday 9:30am-2pm
Amici and Bici
Amici and Bici, 220 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FL
Open Monday-Wednesday 8am-7pm, Thursday-Saturday 8am-11pm, Sunday 8am-5pm
Four Corners Canteen
Four Corners Canteen, 150 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FH
Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-3pm
The Broadfield
The Broadfield, 452 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FR
Open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-12am, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-1am, Sunday 11:30am-11pm
Jameson's
Jameson's, 334 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FN
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm (till 8pm every other Thursday), Sunday 11am-4pm
Walkley Beer Co.
Walkley Beer Co, 362 South Road, Walkley, S6 3TF
Open Thursday 4-10pm, Friday-Saturday 2-10pm, Sunday 4-10pm
Cocoa Wonderland
Cocoa Wonderland, 462 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PX
Open Monday 12-5pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10am-5.30pm, Sunday 12-5pm
The Rude Shipyard
The Rude Shipyard, 89 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FE
Open every day 9am-5pm except Wednesday
Homemade by Thelma's
Homemade by Thelma's, 4 Nether Edge Road, S7 1RU
Open Tuesday-Friday 9am-3pm, Friday for bistro night 7:30pm-10:30pm, Saturday 9am-4pm, first Sunday of each month for brunch club 10am-3pm
Turner's Bottle Shop
Turner's Bottle Shop, 298 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FL
Open Tuesday-Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday 11am-8pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Sheffield Tap
Sheffield Tap, 1b, Sheffield Station, Sheaf Street, S1 2BP
Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-12am
The Bath Hotel
The Bath Hotel, 66-68 Victoria Street, S3 7QL
Open Monday-Thursday 12-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am
Rutland Arms
Rutland Arms, 86 Brown Street, S1 2BS
Open Sunday-Thursday 12-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby, 73-75 Division Street , S1 4GE
Open Monday-Thursday 12pm-2am, Friday-Saturday 12pm-3am, Sunday 12pm-2am
The Fat Cat
The Fat Cat, 23 Alma Street, S3 8SA
Open Sunday-Thursday 12-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am
The Milestone
The Milestone, 84 Green Lane, S3 8SE
Open Monday-Saturday 11am-11:30pm, Sunday 11am-10:30pm
The Devonshire
The Devonshire, 113-117 Devonshire Street, S3 7SB
Open Sunday-Wednesday 9:30am-12am, Thursday 9:30am-1am, Friday-Saturday 9:30am-3am
Hallamshire House
Hallamshire House, 49 Commonside, S10 1GF
Open Monday-Thursday 4pm-11.30pm, Friday 2pm-12:30am, Saturday 12pm-12:30am, Sunday 12pm-11:30pm
The Brothers Arms
Brothers Arms, 106 Well Road, S8 9TZ
Open Sunday-Thursday 12-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am
Yellow Arch Studios
Yellow Arch Studios, 30-36 Burton Road, S3 8BX
Open Monday-Friday 10am-11pm, Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday 11am-9pm
Abbeydale Miniature Railway
Abbeydale Miniature Railway, Abbeydale Road South, S17 3LB
Open occasional Sundays March-September and Santa Specials in December, 1-5pm
Sheffield Botanical Gardens
Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Clarkehouse Road, S10 2LN
Open weekdays 8am-4pm, weekends & bank holidays 10am-4pm (open till dusk/7:45pm in summer)
Hathersage Swimming Pool
Hathersage Swimming Pool, Oddfellows Road, Hathersage, S32 1DU
Open March-October (heated), November-February (cold water)
Showroom
Showroom, 15 Paternoster Row, S1 2BX
Box office open every day from 11:30am (10am Monday & Thursday). Bar open Monday-Thursday 10am-11pm, Friday 10am-late, Saturday 10:30am-late, Sunday 11am-10:30pm
The Harley
The Harley, 334 Glossop Road, S10 2HW
Open Monday-Friday 7:30am-4am, Saturday 8:30am-4pm, Sunday 8:30am-12am
Folk Train
Folk Train, Sheffield Station, Sheaf Street, S1 2BP
Running the fourth Tuesday of each month on the 19:14 from Sheffield to Edale
Foodhall
Foodhall, 121 Eyre Street, S1 4QW
Open Wednesday 8-10pm, Thursday 10am-3pm, Friday 10am-3pm & 8pm-12am
Soya Express
Soya Express, 44 Union Street, S1 2JP
Open Monday-Thursday 9am-5:30pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-3pm
Street Food Chef
Street Food Chef, 90 Arundel Street, S1 4RE
Open Monday-Saturday 8am-10pm, sunday 10am-9pm
Sheffield Central Library
Sheffield Central Library, Surrey Street, S1 1XZ
Open Monday-Tuesday 9:30am-5:30pm, Wednesday 1-8pm, Thursday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm, Saturday 10am-4pm
David Mellor Design Museum
David Mellor Design Museum, The Round Building, Leadmill, Hathersage, S32 1BA
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm (Round Building guided tours Saturday & Sunday 3pm)
Alfred Denny Museum
Alfred Denny Museum, Alfred Denny Building, Western Bank, S10 2TN
Open the first Saturday of each month, tours at 10am, 11am, 12pm
Renishaw Hall
Renishaw Hall, Renishaw Park, S21 3WB
Open Wednesday-Sunday (March-October) / Friday-Sunday (October-November) 10:30am-4:30pm
Oisoi
Oisoi, 2 St Paul's Place, 121 Norfolk Street, S1 2JF
Open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-9:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-10:30pm, Sunday 12-9pm
Hagglers Corner
Hagglers Corner, 586 Queens Road, S2 4DU
Cafe open every day 10am-5pm; bar open Thursday 4-11pm, Friday 4pm-2am, Saturday 2pm-2am
The Tramshed
The Tramshed, 51 Chesterfield Road, S8 0RL
Open Tuesday-Thursday 4-11pm, Friday-Saturday 4pm-midnight, Sunday 4-11pm
CollardManson
CollardManson, 125 Devonshire Street, S3 7SB
Open Monday-Friday 11am-5:30pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12:30pm-4:30pm
Birdhouse Tea Company
Birdhouse Tea Company, 7b Nether Edge Road, S7 1RU
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm
Public
Public, 23-55 Surrey Street, S1 2LG
Open Monday-Friday 4pm-1am, Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 12pm-1am
Sheffield Print Club
Sheffield Print Club, Unit 2, 15 Lenton Street, S2 4BH
Open Monday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 1-5pm, Thursday 5-8pm
The Gardeners Rest
The Gardeners Rest, 105 Neepsend Lane, S3 8AT
Open Monday-Thursday 3-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am, Sunday 12-11pm
The Riverside
The Riverside, 1 Mowbray Street, S3 8EN
Open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-11:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-1am
The Wellington
The Wellington, 1 Henry Street, S3 7EQ
Open Monday-Thursday 3-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am, Sunday 12-11pm
The Red Deer
The Red Deer, 18 Pitt Street, S1 4DD
Open Monday-Thursday 12pm-12am, Friday-Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 12-11pm
Fagan's
Fagan's, 69 Broad Lane, S1 4BS
Open Monday-Saturday 12-11:30pm, Sunday 12-3:30pm & 7-11:30pm
Shakespeare's
Shakespeare's, 146-148 Gibraltar Street, S3 8UA
Open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-12am, Friday-Saturday 12pm-1am
Sheffield Institute of Arts Gallery
Sheffield Institute of Arts Gallery, Fitzalan Square, S1 2AY
Open during exhibitions every day 10am-5pm (Wednesdays till 8pm)
Lokanta
Lokanta, 478-480 Glossop Road, S10 2QA
Open Tuesday-Thursday 5-10:30pm, Friday-Saturday 5-11:30pm, Sunday 12-9:30pm
Steel City Ghost Tours
Steel City Ghost Tours, Town Hall, Pinstone Street, S1 2HH
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 7:30pm
Nether Edge Pizza Company
Nether Edge Pizza Company, 92 Burton Road, S3 8DA
Pizzeria open Thursday-Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 12-10pm / mobile oven Wednesday at Norfolk Arms, Thursday at The Horse and Jockey, Friday at The Greystones
Western Bank Library
Western Bank Library, Western Bank, S3 7NA
Public gallery open Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm, Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 12-6pm during exhibitions
Lucky Fox
Lucky Fox, 72 Division Street, S1 4GF
Open Monday-Thursday 11am–6pm, Friday 10am–8pm, Saturday 10am–8pm, Sunday 11am–4pm
Union St
Union St, 18-20 Union Street, S1 2JR
Open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, and for events
Site Gallery
Site Gallery, 1-5 Brown Street, S1 2BS
Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm (late opening on Thursdays till 8pm), Sunday 11am-4pm
Mac & May
Mac & May, 230 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FL
Open Thursday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-3pm
Chapel Decorative Interiors
Chapel Decorative Interiors, 99 Broadfield Road, S8 0XH
Open Monday-Wednesday by appointment, Thursday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Sheffield Antiques Centre
Sheffield Antiques Centre, 178-188 Broadfield Road, Heeley, S8 0XL
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday and bank holiday 11am-5pm
The Dram Shop
The Dram Shop, 21 Commonside, S10 1GA
Open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10:30pm, Sunday 12-9pm
Birdhouse Tea Bar & Kitchen
Birdhouse Tea Bar & Kitchen, Alsop Fields, Sidney Street, S1 4RG
Open every day 8am-10pm
Sheaf View
Sheaf View, 25 Gleadless Road, S2 3AA
Open Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-11:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-12:30am
The White Lion
The White Lion, 615 London Road, S2 4HT
Open Monday 4-11:30pm, Tuesday-Thursday 4pm-12am, Friday 4pm-1am, Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 2-11:30pm
The Misses Vickers
Weston Park Museum, Western Bank, S10 2TP
Museum open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
Remo's
Remo's, 259 Fulwood Road, Broomhill, S10 3BD
Open Tuesday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 9:30am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
The Lescar
The Lescar, 303 Sharrow Vale Road, S11 8ZF
Open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-12am, Friday 12pm-1am, Saturday 10am-1am
The Treehouse Board Game Cafe
The Treehouse Board Game Cafe, 41 Boston Street, S2 4QF
Open Tuesday-Friday 11am-11pm, Saturday 10am-11pm, Sunday 10am-10pm
Bungalows and Bears
Central Fire Station, 50 Division Street, S1 4GF
Open Monday-Thursday 12pm-12am, Friday 12pm-1:30am, Saturday 11am-1:30am, Sunday
11am-12am
Our Cow Molly
Cliffe House Farm, Hill Top Road, Dungworth, S6 6GW
Open Wednesday & Friday-Sunday 11am–5:30pm. Open every day in school summer holidays
South Street Kitchen
19-20 South Street, S2 5QX
Open Tuesday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-10pm, Saturday 10am-5pm
Ambulo
Ambulo, Millennium Gallery, 48 Arundel Gate, S1 2PP
Open Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-10pm, Sunday 9am-5pm
Sidney + Matilda
Sidney + Matilda, Rivelin Works, 46 Sidney Street, S1 4HR
Open during exhibitions Wednesday-Saturday 12-6pm and by appointment
The Waggon and Horses
The Waggon and Horses, 57 Abbeydale Road South, S7 2QQ
Open Monday-Thursday 11.30am-11pm, Friday 11.30am-12am, Saturday 10am-12am, Sunday 10am-11pm
At this venue
Exquisite Bodies
Thu. 4 April 2019 — Sun. 28 April 2019
Yorkshire Artspace
Four artists collaborate live in the gallery, creating new ceramic pieces based on the game of collective creation known as exquisite corpse.
Yorkshire Artspace Open Studios
Sat. 16 November 2019 — Sun. 17 November 2019
Yorkshire Artspace
A weekend of nosying around some of the most fascinating artists' studios in town.
You might also like...
Bailey Lane Car Park
The Spanish artist Nano 4814 left behind this bright, wacky, and slightly unsettling piece when he came to town as part of the Feature Walls street art festival in 2016. It's the ninth stop on our city-centre street art trail.
Re-collections: Susan Hiller, Elizabeth Price, Georgina Starr
Sat. 16 February 2019 — Sun. 19 May 2019
Site Gallery
Site starts its 40th year with an excavation of its own history, in an exhibition concerned with memory, the process of thinking through collections, and bringing past moments to life once again.
Rob Lee
A graphic artist whose large-scale geometric murals that invite interaction and inject a shot of vibrancy into the city.