The Year of Making at Yorkshire Artspace

A heartwarming e-newsletter from us to you. The emerging makers on our Starter Studio programmes are having such a fantastic year, celebrated through shows, awards and commissions. Could you be joining them this Autumn? It is wonderful to be working with Gillian Brent on our Year of Making residency, having known her for nearly 25 years; seeing how her work has developed and grown has been inspiring and has reinforced our commitment to help more artists to work in schools. And we couldn't be more proud of our role in bringing Sheffield's longest artwork in to being - what an achievement for artists Glassball and for Castlegate.

CALL OUT : Starter Studio Programmes
\ Only 2 weeks to go!

Are you an ambitious ceramicist or silversmith and in need of a supportive programme offering workspace, equipment, technical & mentor support, business advice plus commission and exhibition opportunities? Our Starter Studio Programmes could be for you!

We're running open visits at each of the Starter Studios in July:
Monday 4th July at 3pm, Ceramic Starter Studio, Manor Oaks
Tuesday 5th July at 11am, Silversmith & Jewellery Starter Studio, Persistence Works

Please RSVP to rachael@artpsace.org.uk if you'd like to attend.

Delivered from fully-equipped shared studios, both programmes include technical and mentor support, our Training Bursary to undertake online training via The Design Trust, plus additional exhibition and commission opportunities.

Key Features of the 2 year programmes include:
• Access to shared fully equipped studio space @ £120 per month
• Access to technical and mentor support
• Business advice and support
• Bursary to undertake online training via The Design Trust
• Exhibition and commission opportunities
• 20% discount on regular studio rental for 2 years from completion of the programme (subject to studio availability)

For further information and to apply, please download and complete the relevant application form found on our website. DEADLINE 9am Monday 11th July 2016.

Please read updates below from 2 current starter studio beneficiaries .

Updates from Meghan Downs
\ Starter Studio for Ceramics

"In April I did my first trade show the British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) in Harrogate and I was awarded the ‘Best Newcomer’. Since then, I have been very busy making lots of new work to send out to various galleries. I have also just exhibited at the Art Market Holmfirth and Earth & Fire.

Currently, I am in the process of two commissions that were a result of the BCTF; one for the York Minster Shop and one for Emporium Art Gallery in Lichfield. I shall be drawing location-specific scenes and placing them on to my ceramic vessels as commissioned collections for both of these places. This is a great opportunity for me to produce personalised work for various locations and I hope to continue in this process.

I am also working towards further shows and exhibitions later in the year including Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, as well as displaying my work in galleries across the country."

Update from Hannah Staniforth
\ Starter Studio for Ceramics

“Since joining the Starter Studio for Ceramicists my work has completely changed; I've changed clay bodies and I've moved towards making more functional ceramics with expressive slip decoration. My making skills have improved and so has my understanding of ceramics, due to peers and mentors on the programme.

It's been great to take part in two sets of Open Studios, one with Yorkshire Artspace and the other with Open Up Sheffield. It’s been the perfect opportunity to get feedback and to sell my work. I have also been accepted to exhibit at The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester this coming October which will be my first big show!

Being part of the Starter Studio Programme has also allowed me to take part in shows such as Earth & Fire and the Sheffield Ceramics Festival as a collective, to promote both the programme and my own work. It has also introduced me to people I wouldn't have met without being part of Yorkshire Artspace; woodworkers, silversmiths and other ceramicists. It's been great. And I look forward to starting my second year.”

Yorkshire Artspace Residency with the High Sheriff
\ Update from Gillian Brent

We’re incredibly proud to be a part of the Year of Making 2016 and we’re celebrating with a special residency with South Yorkshire’s new High Sheriff, Julie MacDonald.

Studio holder Gillian Brent has been appointed to work with pupils in the Manor neighbourhood of Sheffield to create a piece of permanent public art for the school environment.

"The theme of the artwork is different types of ‘making’ that have historically happened and still do happen in Sheffield, focusing on the Manor Lodge/Manor Oaks site. I’ve picked the brains of other Yorkshire Artspace artists and makers about how to incorporate their media and practice, and have borrowed silver, ceramic, woven and wooden objects for the children to use as subject matter; to inspire them that they one day could become Sheffield makers too."

Read more

Northern Industrial Ceramic Commission
\ 9th July - 27th August at MADE NORTH

The Northern Industrial Project Ceramic Commission provided second year Starter Studio participants Mike Scown and Victoria Dawes with the opportunity to make new work in response to the MADE NORTH Northern Industrial Project.

The project aims to create a range of affordable objects, furniture and fashion that convey a sense of northern-ness from the north of England, through a choice of materials or way of manufacture.

This commission provided a unique opportunity for Mike and Victoria to explore processes and ways of making that resonated with the theme of the ‘north’. Victoria has made a collection of domestic ceramics reflecting upon the time she spent working for Dennis Black, a former Sheffield steel worker, as his cleaner in the late stages of his life. Mike has made a robust tea mug drinking set and developed his own glaze recipe from the ashes of burned Yorkshire Teabags and an iron-rich clay he dug from the ground in Sheffield.

Their work will be exhibited at MADE NORTH Gallery from 9th July - 27th August. Mike and Victoria will both talk about their work during the Private View on Thursday 14th July. 6.30 - 8.30pm.

“This is the first year of working in partnership with MADE NORTH and the Northern Industrial Project on this commission. It has provided a great opportunity for the emerging ceramicists on our Starter Studio Programme to develop new work, gain an insight into the commissioning process and for their work to be seen by a wider audience. It has enabled both Mike & Victoria to be experimental and to research ideas or narratives meaningful to them.” Rachael Dodd, Programme Manager Yorkshire Artspace

Images below: Left: Victoria Dawes, butter knife. Right: Mike Scown, glaze recipe test pieces

Castlegate Hoardings Commission
\ Launch event Saturday 9th July

We're delighted to have worked with Sheffield City Council and arts collective Glassball on the longest artwork in Sheffield, spanning 175 metres in total and telling the story of one of Sheffield’s most historic sites.

The artwork created by Glassball is rich, multilayered and full of detail reflecting the care and dedication given to the project by artists Cora Glaser & David Ball and their commitment to including the voices of the good people of Sheffield.

Come along and judge for yourself! It's full of interesting facts, fiction and people’s everyday tales of Castlegate.

We're hosting a public event on Saturday 9th July from 12 - 2pm, next to the Hoardings on the corner of Waingate & Exchange Street. Artist Cora Glaser and archaeologist historian Rachel Askew will be delivering a walking tour of the artwork at 1pm. Please join us and collect a specially commissioned Castlegate fridge magnet!

Cora says, "David and I have been working at the former Castle Market site since October last year and have held various creative activities and workshops. “The artwork is layered reflecting the physical nature of the site. As the layers of heritage were being removed we were exploring the many aspects of the site as revealed through conversations with those who had a personal connection to this area."

Read more

Yorkshire Artspace Microgrants
\ Updates

Heliya Badakhshan, Kandy Diamond, Sharon Mossbeck and Sue Taylor are this year's recipients of the YA Microgrants, each receiving £500 to realise a creative ambition during 2016, Sheffield's Year of Making.

Check out the links below for blog updates from each artist and look out for ways to get involved!

Update from Sue Taylor: The Microgrant is enabling me to take forward my work about the Howard Street Dinner Hour Club. I am working with two other artist/makers, Charlotte Tollyfield and Lizzie Peters, and I'm enjoying learning from them. Read More

Update from Sharon Mossbeck: The Thread of Life project is inspired by the Three Fates from Ancient Greek Myth, who together are said to spin, measure and cut each person’s thread of life, thus defining their lifespan. Read more

Update from Kandy Diamond: This Microgrant is enabling me to run machine knitting workshops from my studio at Persistence Works and these are currently in the planning stage. Read more

Update from Heliya Badakhshan: In my new work I’m trying to develop new shapes that involves new material. I am hoping to use clay as the base and main material for my sculpture alongside resin and metal. Read more

Yorkshire Artspace Open Studios
\ Save the date!

Our annual Open Studios will take place 18th - 20th November this year.
Pop it in your diary and watch this space for updates!

The Year of Making at Yorkshire Artspace

Northern Industrial Ceramic Commission \ 9th July - 27th August at MADE NORTH

Northern Industrial Ceramic Commission
\ 9th July - 27th August at MADE NORTH