The largest event of its kind in the UK, around 200 houses and studio spaces across the city open their doors to exhibit the work of over 1,500 artists and makers. Last year over 200,000 people visited the festival.
AOH help artists connect with audiences in self-curated, non-traditional art spaces. This usually means visiting artists’ own homes, offering festival-goers an exclusive snapshot of how creatives live in this vibrant and creative city. From beautiful Regency-style properties to quirky and colourful cottages, many of the houses boast stunning gardens creatively landscaped by their owners.
AOH also offers the chance to buy artworks directly from the artists and makers themselves. There is a hugely diverse selection of artworks on show, from original paintings, prints, graffiti arts, ceramics and textiles to photography, sculpture, crafts, jewellery and many other media.
The houses are grouped into one of 14 trails around different areas of the city and beyond, each with its own unique character and atmosphere – from the fishermen’s houses of Hanover to the urban warehouse spaces of the North Laine and cottages of the South Downs village of Ditchling.
Australian born artist Penelope Kenny is the 2017 Brochure Cover artist, beating more than 180 other artists to the coveted title, Penelope draws inspiration from Darwinism, dioramas, natural history illustration and taxidermy. She will be exhibiting her work at the at the Waterloo Room, TOM, Hove as well as 3 different open houses; The Flamingo House, Peggy Poppleton and Friends and The Stanley Road Store.
Judy Stevens, Artists Open Houses Festival Director, says: “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 artists of all ages and at all stages of their careers choose to take part.”
Entry to the Artists Open Houses festival is free to the public.
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