Mark Cohen, co-ordinator and brainchild of the project, had noticed an unused shop space at Nether Edge crossroads, with a sign in the window saying, "What does Nether Edge Need?"He was granted a two-week lease to open an Art Gallery. Not only was the project to benefit local artists, but also by using a space that would other wise be vacant over the run up to Christmas, benefiting the commercial activity of Nether Edge centre. Mark Cohen and artist Sarah Palmer contacted all the artists they knew in the local area and soon the project was up and running. Even as they were putting the exhibition together, they were getting offers from artists. Emmanuel (apt for Christmas) artist and resident of Nether Edge, asked what was going on, and within 15 minutes, he had returned with six prints. The title of the exhibition is a pun on the word present, buying contemporary/present art for Christmas presents.
 | | Hodnett's Angel (detail) |
Altogether there are about 20 artists involved in the project and there is a wide variety of artwork on sale, including photographs, screen prints, watercolours, oils, furniture, jewellery, cards and ceramics. Some of the artists are amateurs and some have exhibited in galleries both locally (Millennium, S1, S10) and nationally. In addition to the art there is also music on sale, again all local artists, with a similar range in genres, from classical to acid techno rock (so something for Gran there then) and a funky group called the Lovers. "The object is to allow the artists space to sell their work but because we aren’t charging a commission it allows the artists to sell their work at a more easily affordable prices to the public," said Mark Cohen. It is an opportunity to see how talented the local residents of Sheffield are, and believe me this is no knitted toy hell Christmas craft fate, the standard of the art is exceptional. There are some top quality art works on sale, including pots by Antonia Salmon, jewellery by Polly Parker, Glass Sculptures by Sarah Coleman and some fantastic oils by Lyn Hodett. So even if you cant afford to buy, you can still afford to come and see just how creative your neighbours are. Present Art is at The Gallery, 4 Nether Edge Road and runs until Friday, 24 December, 2004. | 
