The weekend past and what’s to come!
Resin bangles by Kathie Murphy at Salon des Sources le (left)
The first weekend of the Artist Open Houses is complete. So many spaces have been transformed into magical places celebrating the best of creativity in their community. The festival continues for with new houses opening this weekend. Here are some highlights from last weekend.
Seven Dials is worth a wander – with 5 houses within walking distance. Art Across the Line, Snug, Salon des Sources, Milton House (36, 37, 38, & 39 respectively in the brochure) all offer great gifts and warm welcomes. Gorgeous ceramics and jewellery at Milton House, great resin jewellery by Kathie Murphy at Salon des Sources, Helen PIllot de Chenecey”s co
sy bobble hats would have come in handy during last weekend’s chilly weather. You can find them at Art Across the Line and Snug’s bespoke pin boards make great gifts. (See Snug’s fun Christmas video here: https://youtu.be/KyOj9ZFY9zc). Just some of the great work at these houses.
House 35, Cecil Rice at 14 Granville Rd opens this weekend. Beautiful oils and watercolours of Brighton and beyond to add to your growing art collection.
Salad dressers by Sally Lane at Cicada House (right)
Over in Five Ways 11 Rugby Road is a winter wonderland! The kitchen looks like the desert table at Hogwarts- all for a good cause supporting Super Star Arts. Glass in Fusion (No.40) at Beaconsfield Studios has colourful snowflakes that would look great hanging in any window. At Chevalier House (44) on Stanmer Park Road Agnes Chevalier has mesmerizing embroideries and the lovely literary votives by Anne French add ambience to any room. Follow your visit here with a stop at Cicada House: it has something for everyone, including fun salad dressers by Sally Lane.
Down the hill towards London Road is the number 44 – The Stanley Road Store – they’ll be open Friday evenings as well as Saturday and Sundays, all through the 
festival: 25 Stanley Road. Also be sure to pop into Open Arts in the Open Market (Saturdays only) for some charming handmade ornaments.
Pottery by Silvia K Ceramics at Atelier 51 (right)
Venturing down London Road is the newly opened Atelier 51. (No. 32: 51 Providence Place) Across from St. Bartholomew’s Church, Atelier 51 is home to new artists studios. This airy space has a great collection of original art, home furnishings, pottery and textiles. Well worth the visit.
Pottery at 229 Studio on the seafront (left)
Take a break from the city and head to the Seafront to 229 Studio – 229 King’s Road Arches. A friendly welcome and a little lesson in how these great pieces are made as well as mince pie and chocolates.
Janie Ranger (62A Waterloo Street) has affordable prints and cards and is another magical Christmassy space. Number 14 in the brochure is The Jewelley Workshop, where you’ll find really wide range of jewellery in a hands-on workshop setting, particularly quirky pieces by Sylvaine Frouin.
Sylivaine Frouin at The Jewellery Workshop (right)
Other favourites as you head Hove way are: Surf and Turf at 38 Braemore Rd (No. 1 in the brochure) a delightful house choc full of gifts and great coffee and cake! Number 2 Cat-arzyna at 11 St Kenya Avenue where Polish tradition-meets-French vintage chic. Paper decorations, embroidered and painted home wares. Art at The Claremont is number 12 (13 Second Ave) where you can find over 30 artists all over this boutique hotel including the floodlit garden. And number 8 9A Hove Place with beautifully curated, lots of ceramics and much more.
There are a number of houses opening this weekend for the first time including Albert Mews Studio (No. 9), Mews Art Studio (No.16) and 13 Whichelo Place and Lunamoon & Friends (26 & 28 in the brochure) open the next two weekends only.
The AOH team will be out in force this weekend, checking out more houses. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter for all the fun! And grab a brochure and go exploring! Pick one up at Brighton and Hove train stations, museums, libraries and many shops, bars and cafes around the city.
Post by Anne-Marie Olczak