WE live in a town rich in creativity and art work by some of the area’s best known artists is going on show in the town centre today.

Following on from the success of the biannual Holmfirth Art Markets, Huddersfield hosts its own with the same team behind the event at Huddersfield Art Gallery.

A packed weekend will see Huddersfield Art Gallery double up as a market place from today, Friday, until Sunday, December 4, and is in association with the Festival of Lights.

The concept is simple – there will be a gallery of stalls, each manned by the artist showing, selling, receiving commissions and often demonstrating their own unique works.

But some of the artists won’t be packing up their work on Sunday – there will be a showcase exhibition which runs for six weeks.

One artist to exhibit at this weekend’s Art Market is Kirsty Shaw. She makes art out of an everyday necessity – light. She creates a range of lighting made from different types of plastics and is inspired by colour, shape and form.

Kirsty has exhibited at the last two Holmfirth Art Markets and is looking forward to her Huddersfield debut.

She said: “My work is really well received round here.

“I like using light to make layers, I want a light to illuminate not just one space but the wall and the surfaces too.

“I always liked the idea of making something simple into something creative – I do a candle but it has an LED light inside instead – you can blow it out like a candle but it’s much safer.”

At the Art Market one of the rooms will feature four artists setting up in ‘pop-up studios’ so visitors can see Hilary Simms, Jim Bond, Liliane Taylor and Matthew Thompson in action.

Artists at this weekend’s Huddersfield Art Market are – Agnis Smallwood (textiles), Angela and John Hinchcliffe (jewellery), Anna Tosney (prints), Annie Peaker (sculpture), Beverley Porter (ceramics), Brendan Hesmondhalgh (sculpture), Charlotte Brown Designs (jewellery), Clare Lane (textiles), Creatively Occupied (ceramics), Daniel Shiel (photography), Drew Ward (drawings), Ella McIntosh (pewterware), Fiona Cameron (enamel work), Hilary Simms (ceramics), Jane Cummins (wooden and felt bags), Jane Eastwood (textiles), Jim Bond (sculpture), Julie Miles (ceramics), Julia Ogden (artist), Julie Langan (glass), Kate Wimbush (jewellery), Kirsty Shaw (lighting), Kona (giftware), Liliane Taylor (textiles), Liz Salter (paintings), Vitrum Glass Designs (glass), Matthew Thompson (paintings), Mercury Arts (ceramics) Maneggi (accessories), Print for Love of Wood (letterpress), Rehash (handbags) Sequel London (accessories) and Victoria Ashworth ( paintings).

l Visit the Huddersfield Christmas Art Markets Friday, December 2, from 6pm, Saturday 11am-10pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm at Huddersfield Art Gallery, Princess Alexandra Walk.

The Showcase Exhibition show will run for six weeks until January 14, also at Huddersfield Art Gallery.