Brighton and Hove’s Artists Open Houses offer extended festival

The new four-week festival will take place over the weekends from November 21 until December 13, amalgamating with the annual Artists Open Houses Christmas Festival.

Many of the Open Houses will be offering booking slots to manage the flow of visitors and will be open on some weekdays too.

Alongside the main Artists Open Houses festival will be a new Virtual Open Houses strand, which will include virtual tours of artists’ houses and studios and online galleries.

Judy Stevens, festival director, said: “The last six months have been a very challenging time for the city’s many artists and makers. With the postponement of the May AOH festival and temporary closure of galleries, many of their usual means of selling work have dried up, due to the pandemic.

“More than ever it is important to support our local artists and the creative businesses that make Brighton and Hove the vibrant city it is. There will be a whole range of artworks, ceramics, jewellery, prints, photography and a whole host of unusual Christmas presents, cards and other gifts.

“All houses will be fully compliant with COVID-19 guidelines which have been produced in accordance with the current Government guidance and law, many offering booking systems.”

Judy added: “We are delighted to be announcing a new four-week Autumn/Winter AOH Festival after the necessity of postponing the May Festival this year. Despite the difficulties of the last few months, many AOH artists have also found the lockdown period to be a fruitful time, allowing space to explore new ideas and ways of working. This festival will be a great opportunity to discover really exciting and inspiring new work.”

Highlights of the autumn/winter festival include:

Red Brick House – Sophie Wake: Brochure cover artist 2020: Sophie Wake is a contemporary British artist known for her human and animal paintings. Shortlisted for three Artists Open House Awards and winner of Best Newcomer, Sophie was selected by Grayson Perry to show in his Yellow Room at the 250th Anniversary of the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition 2019. Immerse and delight your sensorium at Sophie Wake‘s multi award winning solo show. Original paintings, prints, cards and gifts. 10 Walpole Road, Brighton, BN2 0EA

11 Rugby Road: One of the highlights of the Artists Open Houses Christmas Festival- this house is a cornucopia of Christmas delights! New for 2020, visit the re-landscaped sculpture garden, all lit up with twinkling lights– with a one way walking system to help peruse the Open House safely. The house will also be open on Fridays with a limited number of ticketed viewings for those who prefer more room to explore. 11 Rugby Road, Brighton, BN1 6EB

92 Montpelier Road: A real AOH festival highlight, Montpelier Road has a diverse and exciting mix of work by ten artists and makers including painting from Tiffany Lynch and Holly Loader, interactive workshops by Be Chocolat by Michel Clement and jewellery from Risza Lopes da Cruz. 92 Montpelier Road, Brighton, BN1 3BE