Number 24a Goodramgate, York, was a hairdressing salon for 30 years, and the shadow of the washing sinks can still be traced on the floor.

Now, however, this upstairs room is the wood-panelled home to Adze Gallery, a new showcase to "exhibit the work of contemporary artists and designers, painters and printmakers, ceramicists and sculptors, in an informal setting and to attract a cosmopolitan audience".

Last year the loft was full of old salon chairs, the kitchen was derelict, and there was no hot water, but graphic designer and natural history illustrator Dave Durham and special needs teacher Dee Bray "still fell in love with the place".

They believed it was ideal for staging exhibitions, artist lectures, workshops and educational activities, and now Dave and Dee, who live in Harrogate, are gallery owner and exhibitions organiser respectively.

"I found it a bit like Dr Who's Tardis," says West Yorkshireman Dave. "It's almost invisible but as soon as I walked up the stairs I knew it had potential, and that was me judging it in semi-darkness as the electricity wasn't switched on. I think that beneath its Seventies gloss a gallery was waiting to come out all along."

Adze Gallery - named after the wood-crafting tool - has made much of the wooden panelling and floor. "I'm not a fan of galleries that are extremely sterile," says Dave. "There's a school of thought that says nothing should detract from the artwork, but I like to hark back to the history of the building and its past uses and I wouldn't like to hide any evidence of that."

The gallery will have a rolling exhibition programme, updated every four to six weeks. On view in the inaugural show, New Beginnings, are works for sale by 87-year-old Norman Bevan, Andrea Ellis, John Hutchinson from York, Jane Fielder, David Greenwood from Bingley, Peter Marsden, Scotsman John McClenaghen, Chris Fielder and Neil Palliser.

Prices range from £40 to £750 for Greenwood's soft pastels. "He uses pastels made from compacted marble dust which produce these wonderful swathes of iridescence. It's like butterfly wings when they catch the light," says Dave.

He and Dee are always on the look-out for artists and designers to exhibit at Adze, whether visiting graduate shows to spot talent or asking those interested in showing their work to ring 01904 674 348 or 07747 771548 (mobile).

Upcoming events at the gallery will include Jane Fielder giving a demonstration on silk painting skills on April 11; David Greenwood doing a Meet The Artist evening and pastel demonstration during Easter week (the date is yet to be confirmed) and Helen Harding demonstrating painting techniques for decoration (again the date awaits confirmation).

All in all, Adze Gallery adds up to a welcome addition to the under-nourished art scene in York.

Adze Gallery, 24a Goodramgate, York. Open Tuesday to Friday, 11am to 5pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 5pm; closed Mondays, except Bank Holidays.