Artists Open
Houses May 2024

AOH 2024 May Festival

Starts this Saturday! Weekends, 4th – 27th May

See Open Houses

There is more than ever to discover in the Artists Open Houses festival this year – with over 180 venues taking part across the city of Brighton and Hove, out to Ditchling, Hurstpierpoint Ovingdean and along the coast from Newhaven to Portslade. The month of May brings you the opportunity to meet artists and makers in their homes and studios, discuss their work, how it is made, as well as the artists’ motivating ideas and inspiration.  Many venues offer workshops to learn new skills and explore your creativity in myriad new ways.

The Artists Open Houses festival is inclusive, encompassing artists of all ages and abilities, from those just starting out on their careers to established artists and makers. School and university students, neurodivergent artists, those with learning disabilities and mental health issues, residents of senior homes, all our welcomed and encouraged to take part.

Look out for highlights this year, including on-the-spot dog portraits and a specially composed canine polyphonic dog sound mash-up! Check out both the Wandering and Portable Open Houses at various locations around town. In Hanningtons Lane, learning disabled and neurodivergent artists from the Figment Arts Studio present an opportunity to discover local folklore, fairy tales and legends, inviting you to take part in their collaborative paintings. And don’t miss The Little Picture Place, where you can find this year’s brochure cover artist, Sarah Arnett, with her exotic wallpaper designs and Sunday salons.

With many houses offering tea and cake, often in sunny gardens, alongside the art, a visit to the Artists Open Houses is the perfect way to spend a May weekend. Explore the city, travel out to the countryside, meet the artists and buy new artworks for your home – the Artists Open Houses offer a host of inspirational experiences, art and fun!

For more information contact [email protected]