The Artists Open Houses Festival, Brighton and Beyond, Starting May 4, 2019
The Artists Open Houses festival 2019, the largest event of its kind in the UK, will take place in Brighton, Hove and beyond over four weekends in May, starting Saturday May 4, 2019.
Free to visit, the festival will see over 1500 artists and makers opening the doors to their houses or studios to exhibit and sell their artworks direct to the public.
This year over 180 venues across the city will be open, giving festivalgoers an exclusive snapshot of how artists live and work. There is a hugely diverse selection of artworks on show, from original paintings, prints, ceramics and textiles to photography, sculpture, crafts, jewellery and more.
The artists houses are grouped into one of 14 trails around different areas of the city, each with its own unique character and atmosphere – from the beautiful Regency houses in Brunswick to the colourful fishermen’s houses of Hanover to the urban warehouse spaces of the North Laine and cottages of the South Downs villages of Ditchling and Clayton.
This year the brochure cover artist, winner of the 2019 Brochure Cover Artist’s Award, is Brighton based artist and printmaker Hannah Forward. Hannah creates vibrant, colourful prints featuring images of old cassette tapes, vintage cameras, snowboarders and birds. Last year ‘Cassette Tapes’ was selected for the 250th Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, curated by Grayson Perry. She was one of three artists chosen by the BBC to be filmed for their documentary about the RA Summer Show, which lead to the entire edition of ‘Cassette Tapes’ selling out at the private view. Hannah Forward will be exhibiting at her Open House at 11 Scott Road, Hove during the festival and also at The Old Market Hove in Hove from April 23 until the end of May. (www.hannahforward.com),
The work of marginalised artists is an increasingly important strand of the Artists Open Houses festival. For 2019, several recovery centres, mental health centres, drug and alcohol addition centres and homeless centres as well as organisation for artists with leaning disabilities, including Carousel at BMECP, Grace Eyre, Preston Park Recovery, Just Life Creative, St Luke’s Church, Creative Future at Barker and Stonehouse, The Robin Hood Health Foundation at Brighton Health and Wellbeing Centre and Mill View Hospital, will be exhibiting the work of many talented artists, writers, photographers and makers who access their support.
For the first time, the festival will be setting up an artists materials bank at St Luke’s church in Brighton, to recycle artists materials to help excluded artists.
For the second year running, the Artists Open Houses festival will be showcasing the work of emerging artists through a specially curated strand called New Grounds. Curated by filmmaker, director and editor Idil Bozkurt, New Grounds will be showing a programme of events, performances and exhibitions based on the title ‘Fake/Make’ at The Old Market, Hove. The New Grounds programme takes the aphorism ‘fake it until you make it’ as a start point, exploring the subject of ‘making’ and ‘faking’ through speculation and self-reflection using various art forms; sound performances, multimedia installations and workshops.
Judy Stevens, Artists Open Houses Festival Director says, “The Artist Open Houses offer audiences the chance to see locally made, seriously good arts and crafts, as well as being an inclusive community event. We welcome artists of all ages and from all areas of the community including a significant number of venues showing the work of artists who may otherwise be potentially excluded from the mainstream art world – those who have experienced periods of homelessness, are in recovery, or have learning disabilities or metal health issues. At the core of our ethos is a belief in the great benefits of art and creativity for all, and in offering opportunities for a new and important engagement between these artists and our audiences.”
The Artists Open Houses festival dates for 2019 are:
May 4 & 5
May 11 & 12
May 18 & 19
May 25 & 26
Highlights of the 2019 Festival include:
Celebrating their 10th Anniversary: Encounters: West Hove Trail
Winner of Best Open House in 2018 and celebrating their 10th anniversary, Encounters is one of the highlights of the Artists Open Houses festival. The 2019 edition will feature Kinetic and Constructivist Art alongside a retrospective exhibition of 67 Encounters’ artists from 18 countries, highlighting Carlos Sanchez’s new collection and Miladys Parejo’s installation recalling a decade of collective memories. www.encountersartspace.com/open-house
12 Langdale Road, Hove, BN3 4HN
New for 2019: Descendants of the world famous Grimaldi Clown; The Sisters Grim: Kemp Town Trail
Exhibiting in one of the oldest houses in Brighton (1789), The Sisters Grim, artists and illustrators Catherine and Teresa Grimaldi, are descendants of the world famous clown Joseph Grimaldi. They collaborate to spin together specialisms in children’s books, illustration, puppet making, textiles and installation in humorous, hands on exploratory works. They will be presenting new work independently using collage, found objects and embroidery
8 Charles Street, Brighton
New for 2019: Chocolate Sculptures: The Chocolate House: Independent Trail
Chocolate artist Ev Day is exhibiting a range of sculptures made entirely out of chocolate, creating an amazing sensory experience. As well as chocolate sculptures, there will be a chocolate kitchen where exciting demos will take place. There will also be artworks from several other artists including celebrated ceramicist Kay Aplin who recently produced work for ‘Collect Open 2019’ at The Saatchi Gallery. Visitors can expect a chocolate themed surprise, which will be different every weekend.
78 Hangleton Way, BN3 8EQ
New for 2019: The World’s First 3D Gallery: 3D Tales: Central Trail
The le Roy Art Gallery, situated in a three-storey 1780 fisherman’s cottage in Brighton’s North Laine, is the world’s first 3D Gallery. Artist Sara le Roy’s darkly humorous fairy-tale painting series: “3D Tales” creates a twisted portrayal of classic characters such as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, seen wandering through mental wards, hospitals and crime scenes rather than enchanted forests. The exhibition requires visitors to wear old school red/blue 3D glasses, encouraging a deeper level of interaction with the pieces. Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon is a fan and brought several paintings when filming recently in Brighton.
1 Bond Street Cottages, BN1 1RP.
New for 2019: An Exhibition in a Funeral Home: Bowley & Gallagher: Fiveways Trail
This year family-owned funeral directors Bowley and Gallagher are opening their doors as an Artist Open House venue, featuring works from Brighton based artists. In doing this, they are aiming to demystify and normalise the funeral directing process, providing a welcoming space for the public and opening up the eve- changing conversation surrounding death, dying and bereavement. Work from guest artists Vee Pease, Trisha Keith, Kate Wand and Throw to Fire will be on show, covering a range of media such as watercolour, ceramics, fine silver jewellery and textiles.
209 Preston Road BN1 6SA
New for 2019: Doll makers, guitar makers and a historical tailor: Rhodus Creative Studios: Independent Trail
Opening for the first time, this studio is a cornucopia of interesting designers, visual artists, photographers and makers, including a prop makers, a doll makers, a guitar maker, a period tailor (Zack Pinsent, who makes and sells Bespoke historical clothing from 1666-1920s) and an award winning photographer Joseph Ford, who describes his pictures as ‘storytelling with a side order of off-beat creativity’ and whose work has been featured The Observer and Vice. josephford.net/
16-30 Hollingdean Road, Brighton BN2 4AA Saturday May 11th Only
Artists from new Ricky Jervais series at SNUG: Hove Trail
Curated by maker Jessica Christie-Miller, whose stunning feature wreaths and wall decorations are real showstoppers, SNUG will be displaying an enticing mix of art, sculpture, craft, and interior accessories. Artists include Antonia Thompson with colourful landscapes which are being used in the new Ricky Gervais Netflix series ‘Afterlife’ as Gervais’ wife’s paintings, as well as gilder Clare Mosley who has previously lived and worked in Paris and is now producing a collection of gilded shells, oysters and pebbles from Brighton beach using 22 carat gold.
7 Caburn Road Hove BN3 6EF
The Old Market: Central Trail
- Hannah Forward
This year’s brochure cover artist Hannah Forward’s prints capture everyday events and artefacts of modern life. Hannah will be also be showing her prints and paintings at 12 Scott Road, which was nominated last year for best new Open House at the AOH Awards.
- New Grounds ‘FAKE/MAKE’
Curated by Idil Bozkurt, New Grounds is highlighting a group of new noteworthy artists producing work based on the phrase ‘fake it until you make it’. The exhibition features work from a range of artistic fields such as sound and performance by Ed Briggs and Rebecca Dyer, theatrical performance by Daniel Levin, multimedia installations from Ëpha Roe, Bethan Clarke and Súhannah Whitton. Visitors can also get involved in workshops by Kate Kelsall, Claire Patrick and İdil Bozkurt.
The Old Market, BN3 1AS
New House for 2019: 30 Years on, Brighton’s First Art Café Returns: Art at Zerbs: Dyke Road Arts Trail
Art At Zerbs is an exciting new Open House for 2019, owned by Jan and Linda Zerb, who ran the much loved Zerb’s Café in Gardner Street in the 1980s and 90s – the first café in Brighton to exhibit and sell artwork for local artists. Linda and Jan are collaborating with ceramicist Angela Evans and abstract artist Kate Scott to curate a rich mix of artists and makers including print maker Sarah Jones, painter John Haywood and quirky modern upcycled jewellery from Keri Zerb. In the garden will be striking wood carved sculptures by established Brighton artist Si Uwins amongst others.
188 Dyke Road BN1 5AA
The Secret Garden: Kemptown Trail
The Secret Garden will be showing major outdoor sculptures with a beautiful secret garden as a backdrop. Enjoy a selection of key works by William Pye, the internationally acclaimed sculptor, who will be exhibiting his finest pieces, in stainless steel and cast bronze with moving water.
10 Powis Villas, Brighton BN1 3HD
New for 2019: Kellie Miller House and Garden: Clayton
For the very first time, artist Kellie Miller opens the doors of her home and gardens, which nestle in the South Downs just outside Brighton. Her space is a work-in-progress project four years in development. On show will be contemporary art and sculpture from artists from the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France and UK including legendary print maker and neighbour Bernard Lodge. Kellie’s work has graced the pages of The Times, The Guardian, Elle Decoration and Homes and Gardens amongst others. www.kelliemiller.com
Bluebell Cottage, Underhill Lane, Clayton, Hassocks BN6 9PN, UK
New House for 2019: Former Best AOH Winner Brian Mander: Crying Shadows, Flesh and Bone: Fiveways Trail.
Brian Mander, a previous Best AOH winner, will be questioning the validity of seemingly innocuous ‘indigenous science’ and highlighting how such parochial knowledge can be murderously allied to witchcraft, superstition, ignorance and prejudice. brianmander.co.uk
One Church. Florence Road, Brighton BN1 6DL
6 at the Regency Town House: Brunswick Trial
Six University of Brighton MA alumni invite you to view their work in this elegant interior. Artists and works include Hilary Kennett’s artworks inspired by Regency correspondence, Paul Tuppenyy’s paintings and sculpture concerning human chronology and being and Adele Gibson’s paintings of the sublime artic wildness.
13 Brunswick Square, Brighton BN3 1EH
80th Anniversary: The Attic Club, Ditchling: Ditchling Trail
Celebrating their 80th anniversary this summer with exhibitions in Ditchling Village Hall, East Sussex (open May 24th – 27th). , Thirty artists and craftsmen will be exhibiting a selection of 2D and 3D original artwork. The Attic Club was founded in 1939 by a group of artists in a Ditchling attic, as they needed somewhere where they could paint and discuss aspects of their work. www.atticartclub.co.uk
Ditchling Village Hall, Ditchling.
New for 2019: Barker and Stonehouse: Creative Future
Creative Future is a Brighton-based arts charity that provides opportunities for underrepresented artists to have their work seen. They will be working in partnership with Barker & Stonehouse for AOH 2019. Creative Future Artists will be exhibiting their limited-edition prints at the Barker & Stonehouse furniture store in Hove throughout May 2019. There will also be opportunities to meet the Artists during each weekend in May. www.creativefuture.org.uk
184-186 Old Shoreham Road, Brighton BN3 7EX
New for 2019: Art on the Farm: Ditchling: FAMILY FRIENDLY
A new venue for 2019, Art on the Farm is set on a family run, organic free-range egg farm in Ditchling in the heart of the South Downs. Exhibiting art by local school children, visitors of the trail can create their own canvases, which will be exhibited on the farm for the rest of the month. Expect live music, delicious street food and a licensed bar.
The Mac’s Farm, Dumbrells Court Road, Ditchling BN6 8GT
New House for 2019: Art at 21: Seven Dials Trail
A new house for 2019, expect a vibrant mix of paintings, sculpture and photography from an exciting mix of innovative and diverse artists, drawing on a range of abstract and figurative themes. Artists include painter Kate Scott, Kate Strachan and Gary Goodman. garygoodman.wordpress.com
21 Montpelier Crescent, BN1 3JJ
New for 2019: Birthing a Better Future Art & Science Exhibition: Central Trail
Zero2 have produced Birthing a Better Future; an Art and Science Exhibition designed to raise public awareness about the key issues and importance of the first 1001 days of life from conception to age two. This pop up exhibition consists of 18 beautifully designed, double-sided exhibition banners, which encourage new ways of thinking about pregnancy, birth and parenting. The exhibition was previously shown at the Houses of Parliament. One weekend only. For more information visit www.zero2expo.com/brighton-festival-2019/
Friends Meeting House, BN1 1AF
New for 2019: Aymer Actually: West Hove Trail
Following a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease Matt Goddard gave up his career in IT and started to take landscape photographs. His photographs of Sussex landscapes reflect his personal moments of peace and escapism, which have allowed him to leave the day-to-day behind and gain an improved sense of perspective.
Matt was shortlisted in the Landscape Photographer of the Year 2018. He will be joined by Helen Hodson (ceramics), McKenzie Bell (painter and Creative Feel Designs).
4 Aymer Road, Hove
New for 2019: BouSham: Central Trail
The BouSham collaboration is made up of Jewellery Designer Clair Boubli and Professional Artist Shyama Ruffell who has gathered 12 ethically minded artists for their first Artist Open House. The exhibition has a strong emphasis on sustainability in response to the harmful environmental impact of industrially manufactured products. It showcases an array of local artists and makers utilising sustainably sourced materials; jute, cotton, rope, recycled textile yarns, natural fabrics and environmentally friendly inks.
The Residency, South Lanes,
Birds and Blossom: Seven Dials Trail
Established Brighton artist Heidi Langridge takes a break from her beachside studio, to create a haven for wildlife in her own home. Gold crests, robins, wrens and other garden birds, set in vivid colours, pay tribute to the natural world, reminding us to slow down and reconnect with nature. www.wrenstudio.co.uk/about.html
87 Buckingham Road, Brighton BN1 3RB
New House: Woofing Fabulous Studio: Coastal Trail, Saltdean
Lisa Morton’s pottery studio will be open for the first time. The Woofing Fabulous gang was created out of a love for animals and their quirky side. Lisa builds and fires the animals in the kiln in her garden studio, filled with her beach combing finds including driftwood, buoys and my sculptures.
8 Hilgrove Rd, Saltdean, BN2 8QG
Full listings can be found at www.aoh.org.uk
For media information or images please contact:
Pandora George at Bullet PR [email protected], 01273 775520 (office) 07729 469220 (mobile)
Notes to Editors
About Artist Open Houses
Brighton and Hove Artist Open Houses, the originator of the Open House movement, date back to 1981 when an artist from the Fiveways area of Brighton, Ned Hoskins opened his house to the public to view his work, and that of a group of friends. Other artists in the area followed suit to form the Fiveways Artist Group. In a city full of creatives, the idea proved popular and soon Artist Open Houses sprung up all over the city.
The Artist Open Houses festival is now the largest event of its kind in the UK. Around 200 houses and studio spaces across the city open their doors for the main festival in May and around 60 open during the Christmas festival. Over 2,000 artists and makers share their work and homes each year.