Arts charity adds landmark building to portfolio

AN arts charity in Sheffield has added one of the city’s landmark buildings to its studio portfolio.

The iconic Art Deco building on Exchange Place was facing demolition two years ago, but is now being restored to its former glory by Yorkshire Artspace, which is one of the largest studio providers in the UK.

Following a four month renovation programme, the six storey building has opened its doors to 80 artists who will benefit from studio space at the historic venue which also offers project space and a residency studio for exhibitions and events. Exchange Place Studios is hosting its first exhibition, a look back at the history of the building, next month.

Opened in 1922 as a wholesale branch of WH Smith, Hambleden House in Exchange Place was used by the Passenger Transport Executive from 1966, but has remained empty since 2009.

Following an outcry from local people, plans to demolish it were shelved and in 2013 Yorkshire Artspace worked with Sheffield City Council to propose a new life for the building.

The charity will stage its inaugural exhibition at its new Exchange Place Studios from 1-5 April, examining the history of this landmark building and its site in Sheffield’s historic Castlegate.

Exchange Place Studios is the charity’s fourth premises in Sheffield and its opening coincides with the appointment of new chairman Paul Houghton, senior partner at Grant Thornton and private sector board member of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.

Houghton has been a member of the board of Yorkshire Artspace for the last five years.

He said: “I have found my work with Yorkshire Artspace a refreshing and exciting experience and relish this new challenge. Already the charity has done a fantastic job of providing studio space for a diverse range of artists and crafts people working in a variety of media including paint, wood, ceramics, textiles and metal.

“The addition of Exchange Place Studios to Yorkshire Artspace’s portfolio is a huge coup for the charity and for local artists as well as saving an important part of Sheffield’s heritage. I am looking forward to offering my financial expertise as the charity continues to flourish.”

Sheffield designer and illustrator Lianne Mellor is one of the artists who has made Exchange Place Studios her new home. Established in 2010, Mellor’s homeware range Mellor Ware is supplied to Liberty’s of London and independent retailers in the UK as well as exporting to Hong Kong, South Korea and the USA.