A new art gallery and artists’ studio complex has opened in Mirfield.
Based in the former Vale Cinema in Huddersfield Road, the Creative Arts Hub offers workspace for up to 15 artists.
It also has a gallery with a changing programme of art exhibitions.
The not-for-profit art space is the brainchild of artistic director Mark Milnes, who wanted to provide somewhere for aspiring artists to start out.
Mark took on the rundown former nightclub, creating a completely different environment.
“We’ve worked hard for the past nine months to get to this stage and without the help of a team of fantastic volunteers we wouldn’t have got here at all,” he said.
“The building needed a complete refurbishment and re-fit which has largely been done through volunteer effort.
“It’s great to see the space looking as I envisaged it all those months ago and to know that it works well as an exhibition venue.
“Our studio spaces filled up very quickly, with little advertising, and the artists are all settling in very nicely.
“I think that Creative Arts Hub will prove to be a really strong addition to the cultural life of North Kirklees, and it certainly feels to have got off to a good start.”
The organisation has recently been successful in obtaining funding through the Kirklees Arts in the Neighbourhood scheme, which will enable them to deliver a series of workshops at Batley Art Gallery, celebrating the work of late artist Andy Banks.
Workshops will feature heavily in the future of the Creative Arts Hub, as the gallery will be used as a multi-purpose space to run classes for children and adults in a wide variety of techniques and media.
“We are interested to hear from anyone who may want to use the space to deliver sessions and we’re also happy to talk to artists about exhibiting their work or curating shows,” said Mark. “There’s a lot of potential here and we’re keen to see the space used to its best advantage.”
The inaugural exhibition at Creative Arts Hub runs until September 15 and showcases the work of artists Maggie Thompson, Judy Tadman, Richard Yeomans and Number Zwei.
The exhibition is open from Wednesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, and Saturday 10am to 3pm.
There will be an open studio event on the weekend of September 14 and 15.
