Gallery gives a taste of things to come

Work began last autumn to turn the former Sin nightclub into a gallery and studios for up to 15 artists.

Now Creative Arts Hub is showing its first exhibition, A Taste of Host.

Artistic director Mark Milnes said: “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.

“The building needed a complete refurbishment and re-fit, which has largely been done through volunteer effort.”

The inaugural exhibition showcases the work of artists preparing to take part in the Huddersfield Open Studio Trail weekend in September.

It includes work by Maggie Thompson, Judy Tadman, Richard Yeomans and Number Zwei alongside pictures from artists’ studios in Kirklees.

Mr Milnes said: “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 not-for-profit organisation was set up by Mr Milnes to support artists in the development and creation of new artwork.

It has won funding through the Kirklees Arts in the Neighbourhood scheme to run series of workshops at Batley Art Gallery celebrating the work of late Dewsbury artist Andy Banks.

The artspace in Mirfield will also be used to run classes for children and adults in future.

Mr Miles said: “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.

“There’s a lot of potential here and we’re keen to see the space used to its best advantage.”

A Taste of Host is open until September 15, Wednesday to Friday, 10am-5pm, and Saturdays, 10am-3pm.