As the winter chill descends upon Brighton & Hove, the city comes alive with a burst of creativity during the Artists Open Houses Winter Festival. This event has been running for 41 years and is a celebration of artistic diversity, bringing together over 60 houses across the region, from Hove to Rottingdean. Unlike an exhibition at an art gallery, these events take place in artist’s houses which will be open to visits for the weekends of November 25th/26th, December 2nd/3rd, and December 9th/10th.
The 2023 Artists Open Houses Around Brighton
The Artists Open Houses festival allows you to explore the art on offer at artists’ homes and make the perfect unique Christmas gift purchase. You can expect to see all types of art including crocheted food plates, sewn creatures, mouth-blown glass Fungi sculptures, Mexican-influenced clay whistles, jewellery, ceramics, paintings, photography, and printmaking.
It’s a great way of supporting the local creative community and making sure the money you spend goes straight to the makers. With a focus on inclusivity, the festival welcomes artists of all ages and stages in their careers, embodying the ethos of connecting artists with audiences in non-traditional art spaces, often in their own homes.
how it all started: Brighton Artists Open Houses
The tradition of Open Houses in Brighton dates back to 1982 when Fiveways artist Ned Hoskins opened his home to the public. This gesture sparked a movement, and soon, other artists followed suit, forming the Fiveways Artists Group. The Artists Open Houses festival officially emerged in 2004, gaining momentum and recognition as a festival in its own right, separate from the Brighton Fringe. Today, it stands as the oldest and largest Open House movement, rooted in the diverse and vibrant artists’ community of Brighton & Hove.
Getting Around the City
With over 60 houses to explore, planning your travel in advance is a must. The festival covers various neighbourhoods of Brighton. Most Open Houses will be open from 11 am-5 pm, but opening times may vary, so it’s advisable to check the individual brochure listings. The best way to travel around Brighton during the festival would be to take the bus. For those travelling by car, the Brighton & Hove City Council provides information on parking options, including off-street car parks and on-street pay & display spaces.
So if you’re looking for something to do in Brighton before the days turn to darkness, why not make some early afternoon visits to some of the open houses around town during the 3 weekends when the festival will run!
Where: all over Brighton and Hove
To find out more: https://aoh.org.uk/
