AOH May 2023 Press Release
Registration Opens Today For Artists Open Houses (AOH) May festival 2023
May 6&7 | May 13&14 | May 20&21 | May 27&28
Registration open 6 January – 28 February 2023
(Special Early Bird Rates until 31 January)
Artists Open Houses returns this May after an especially successful 40th anniversary year. The Winter Festival offered an alternative Christmas shopping experience which featured in The Guardian’s ‘best festive days out’, welcoming a stream of visitors from across the UK and abroad.
160 Open Houses took part in the Festival last May and 53 in the special Winter edition, which was comprised of a number of new venues including educational partnerships, seniors’ housing associations, artist collectives and pop-up galleries.
Alongside artworks and handmade gifts that catered for all budgets, artists offered festive fayre and a place to shop away from the high street, which came as a rescue from the sudden snow.
The Christmas edition not only commemorated a fantastic community festival which has inspired many festivals worldwide, but it also tapped in to a growing movement for buying local, shopping responsibly and supporting communities. This is proven by a significant rise of almost 3K social media followers during the festival period alone and a surge of new interest from the press.
“The Winter Artists Open Houses festival was a wonderful, celebratory event. The wet and snowy weather was not enough to deter an enthusiastic Open House audience from visiting, buying art and making festive seasonal purchases. Open House artists and visitors alike really appreciated another chance to meet and discuss art together in the artists’ homes.” ~ Judy Stevens, Artists Open Houses Festival Director
See highlights of the Winter 2022 festival here: https://aoh.org.uk/aoh-winter-2022-we-look-back-at-some-wonderful-highlights/
The Artists Open Houses May festival 2023 is now open for registration and all artists working in any medium are invited to apply. You can register either as an ‘open house’, which includes any artists venue within the 01273 telephone code area, or, wherever you live, you can sign up to the AOH artists’ directory under ‘Artists Seeking Houses’. Listing fees can be shared between all artists exhibiting in one venue, making costs affordable to all.
“Sometimes we just need things in life which bring some joy, and that’s certainly what Artists Open Houses has meant to me. When you open your home as part of Artists Open Houses, it’s so much more than a gallery. It’s a place where people come and talk, to meet other like-minded people, to share their experiences, to laugh. I’ve met some incredible people and I am very grateful for the gift of community we have in Brighton and Hove-” ~Sarah Bagg
“As an organisation working with people with learning disabilities and autism, we strive to break down barriers. Being part of the Artist Open House helps us to do this.” ~ Grace Eyre/Montefiore Artists
“When we first viewed our flat in early 2012 we both said “this would be perfect to do an Open House in” so in May that year we took the plunge, and haven’t looked back.” ~Lisa and Alex Bamford
Visit https://aoh.org.uk for registration, advice and information.