Before we know it, it will be May and festival season will be in full swing. However, there is one festival we have yet to mention and it is my favourite. It’s my favourite because I’m very nosey, and this festival actively encourages people to be nosey. I am of course talking about The Artists Open Houses festival. Starting on April 30th, around 200 houses and studio spaces across the city open their doors to exhibit the work of over 1,500 artists and makers. The largest event of its kind in the UK, last year over 200,000 people visited the festival.
It has also been announced that there will be over 60 new artists houses and studios taking part this year. The Director of the festival, Judy Stevens, said “We are thrilled to have so many new artists and houses taking part in this year’s festival. Brighton and Hove is an incredibly creative city with a wealth of talent. The festival is a fantastic platform for artists and makers and it’s a testament to its success that so many of them want to be involved.” The houses are grouped into one of 14 trails around different areas of the city, from the fishermen’s houses of Hanover to the cottages of Ditchling to the urban warehouse spaces of the North Laine. The Artists Open Houses also offers the chance to buy artworks directly from the artists and makers themselves.
Artist Marion Brandis was announced as the brochure cover artist for this year, beating more than 180 other artists to the title. Her work will be exhibited at the Old Market, Hove from today (the 14th) until the end of May. Entry to the Artists Open Houses festival is free and it’s honestly the most wonderful way to spend a day.
Holly Martin
holly@brightonjournal.co.uk
feature image: ctj71081 via the Creative Commons license
