Art Scene an independent arty cafe in Sheffield.
Art Scene is an independent art supplies store with a delicious Italian cafe run by Lorraine Dixon based in Sheffield.
Art Scene, on Chesterfield Road sells quality art supplies to budding artists through to professional allowing them to purchase their supplies and relax with a coffee and cake in their Italian coffee shop.
”Have cake, coffee and get arty” says Lorraine.
Art Scene was recently taken over by husband and wife team, Lorraine and Saverio, to combine the offer of quality art materials with outstanding Italian coffee.
“We have a wide range of art materials to cover many different disciplines as well as books, stationery and gifts. We have an extensive range of products but If you can’t find what you’re looking for we will do our best to source it for you.” adds Lorraine.
Their Italian café has a range of coffees, loose leaf teas, soft drinks, and savoury and sweet treats. They make many of the cakes on site from scratch to give that homemade feel as well as purchasing quality ingredients and products from small independent local businesses.
”We believe in sourcing local, one hand washes the other” says Lorraine.
Their story:
Last November the lady who owned the shop wanted to sell, Lorraine had a look and saw the potential to make it a nice dual space business. As she loves art and stationary, although it may not have been on the business plan the couple took the opportunity and love it.
”Starting a new business during a pandemic was interesting however it just felt right to us. Although
not quite 12 months yet, we didn’t open fully until Jan 28th we are very happy.”
”We had to sell coffee through the hatch which was difficult and couldn’t sell the art supplies because of non essential restrictions so it was a bit of a journey” Lorraine muses.
Art Scene now fully open is growing and changing. The team held their
first art class yesterday in the coffee room space. Right now they are also
developing a new website and EPOS system because everything is manual at the mo
ment.
”We know we can’t compete with the big guys on pricing however our point of difference is service and knowledge. We have a team of ladies all artists who all have their specialities from murals in different mediums to lino and block printing. There are people you can talk to about what you want to do whilst you feel the paper, look at the paint, do the things you can’t do online
“ adds Lorraine.
The have the professional artists who come as a quick stop because they ran out of something to .
hobby people who are still amateur but bordering on professional
and also the complete beginners.
“Beginners sit down and have a coffee and our team support them on what to buy. They think they need on thing but actually something else works. We are
local community, arty area and we give the best service because we want people to come back” Lorraine says.
So come come in pull out your own sketch book, they have a colouring box for adults as well and kids, enjoy your time with Art Scene whilst having a tasty treat.
” A lot of NHS workers that were looking for something that was for them. something they could embrace like colouring to be mindful. We call the place the pharmacy for the soul. You could go to get your pills from the chemist but here you can get the wellbeing and mental health side of things washed down with a delicious coffee and a chat” Lorraine says.
“We believe in sourcing local, one hand washes the other”
How can you support them:
Come on down to Art Scene and have a chat with Lorraine and the team if you are a budding artist looking for a class or simply want a quiet space to sketch and enjoy a cake. Check out their social media for more information.
You can find Art Scene alongside other local businesses in Sheffield’s High Street Guide alongside other local businesses to discover and support in Sheffield.
Discover High Street Guides near Sheffield:
Meadowhall Retail Park Sheffield
Miller Road, Lowfield, Sheffield
London Road, Highfield, Sheffield
