Open Studios: Public invited to explore Yorkshire Artspace

Yorkshire Artspace is opening its doors to the public this weekend, offering a rare opportunity to visit the private studios of artists living and working in the city.

Exchange Place Studios will be open from 11am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Entry is free.

The weekend will also see the premiere of Regeneration, a new exhibition inspired by the regeneration and redevelopment of the surrounding site at Castlegate.

The exhibition is a collaboration between seventeen artists from Exchange Place Studios, working under the moniker Painterly Exchange.

While developing the show the collective took part in a series of workshops, exploring how regeneration interacts with the existing city.

"The workshop explored the immaterial and personal aspects of the areas, beyond buildings and infrastructure," said City of Ideas curator Greg Povey.

"We were looking at what should be preserved, and why and how these may be protected through city policy development."

As well as the exhibition, visitors are encouraged to explore a labyrinth of private studios. Over 80 artists work in the building on Exchange St, spread across six floors.

Built in 1927 for WH Smith, the Art Deco building came close to demolition before Yorkshire Artspace took it over in 2013.

Although not listed, Exchange Place Studios was recently restored with a £500,000 grant from Arts Council England.

Sam Gregory

Open Studios takes place from 11am to 5pm on 16 and 17 November at Exchange Place Studios. Entry is free.