A whopping 180 houses in Brighton, Hove and beyond will open their doors to the public for four weekends this May as part of Artists Open Houses spring and its 42nd year.
The gorgeous cover art is by artist Sarah Arnett, whose place The Little Picture Palace (which she also rents out on Air BnB) this year is decorated in the artist’s trademark luxe maximalist style.
“I was inspired by Margaret Atwood’s poem ‘Siren Song’. These beautiful but boring sirens float in a wondrous dream like the sea, a scene that hides wrecks, hearts and men’s dreams,” said Sarah of the cover art.
Sarah will be selling original collages, new prints and some exciting new projects at the house this year. Her open house will also showcase jewelery by Vivienne Ridley, vibrant leather accessories by Holly M Atelier, cushions by Maria Tilyard and work by Raw Solace and Corpo Sancto. His happy place is definitely one of your must-visit places. She also holds workshops every Friday and a Sunday salon every weekend.
The festival offers the perfect opportunity to explore the city, get to know the designers and makers who live on your doorstep, snap up some amazing unique handmade gifts and more often than not indulge in a little festive treat. (And explore a bit inside different houses and buildings.)
As usual, the selection is huge, and you can buy works from ceramics and paintings to textiles, jewelry and many other works of art from established and emerging artists.
Other highlights include Story Maps, an exhibition of artists with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence. In the work, you will get to know the rich folklore of the local area with the help of a pop-up library and the opportunity to participate in painting.
The Dog Show is also back for its fifth year, featuring over 200 pooch-inspired artworks, including Lorraine Corrigan’s papier mache dogs, Sophie Thurlow’s painted teabag miniatures and Gemma Rees’ adorable Bedlington sculptures. Composer Orlando Gough has even created a specially composed dogscape – a polyphonic dog sound combination!
On a larger scale, don’t miss The Spire’s festive fair and the Stanley Road department store’s offerings either.
And if the weather is sunny again (or shopping is difficult), there are also virtual open houses – for example, video tours of artists’ houses, online galleries that allow you to get to know individual designers and their work. and buy it – without drowning/roasting/wind-wiping/generalizing (delete as necessary).
on Saturday and Sunday 4, 5, 11, 12, 25, 26 and Monday 6 May
Different times and places (not all houses are open every weekend)
aoh.org.uk
