IMAGE: Emily Leith
St. Mary’s Church in Walkley will become an open studio for the early May bank holiday weekend, showcasing artists from across the city.
Ceramicists, painters, and jewellers are just some of the makers taking part in the Art in the Aisles showcase, which is run by Walkley Events Collective, a community interest company which produces local events throughout the year.
This will form part of the Open Up Sheffield initiative, an annual event which sees artists opening their homes and studios to the public.
“It can be really hard these days to get people to engage with art online, because social media is so saturated and often feels quite impersonal,” explained Emily Lythe, a local illustrator and owner of New Forme Designs.
“There’s something so much nicer about meeting people face to face and being able to actually chat about your work in real life.”
While lots of artists will welcome visitors into their studios and homes across the weekend, Art in the Aisles offers an opportunity to artists who might not be able to open their personal spaces to the public.
Ms Leith added: “I have an indoor rescue cat with a health condition, and it would be too risky for him to get out, so I really appreciate that the organisers have created a way for more people to be involved.”
Alongside established local artists, Art in the Aisles will feature an emerging artists zone which will allow artists who are still building their portfolios to display their work.
Ms Leith, who is one of these artists, is building a collection of Sheffield green spaces and park illustrations, with an aim to capture as many parks as she can in what is widely seen as England’s greenest city.
Open Up Sheffield said at its heart Sheffield is a city of makers and industrial heritage, adding: “Building on this incredible asset, Open Up Sheffield has been celebrating Sheffield’s cultural vibrancy and showcasing some of the city’s up and coming artists and makers for over 25 years.
“This offers an invaluable opportunity for newcomer artists to get involved in showing their work, in their own workspace or with other artists, without the commitment of an expensive show.”
