25 Years of Exhibiting at the Open House in Brighton
May comes around quickly and I am getting ready for one of the largest open house events in the UK, the annual Brighton Festival and the open houses. This is a super chance to meet 100s of artists as they fling open their doors and welcome you into their homes. This year it is our 25th year of participating! My host and friend Frances Doherty invited me to do the open house with her at her house 25 years ago just after we had both graduated from doing our BAs in Fine Art.
This year we are celebrating all these years opening her doors and welcoming the public in. Its going to be a great event with a some super surprises (join the mailing list for details) and you are very welcome to come along.... If you are on my mailing list then an invite to our private view is coming along shortly!
We love welcoming people and are at
61 Sandgate Road, Brighton BN1 6JP
Open times 11-5pm Saturday and Sundays
Starts 3 May and finishes on last weekend of May 25th
Lots to see and hope you can make it to the Private View - do email me here if you can make it along
If you are planning a trip to see the Fiveways Open Houses, check out the variety of houses ) here
To see our venue based in the Fiveways Trail at 61 Sandgate Road, Brighton, here is a map of the location.
Getting there: parking is becoming more tricky but its not impossible, it would be best to train or drive and walk a trail if you have that in mind.
Train: Ask for London Road Station (neighbouring the main Brighton Station) or for Preston Park Station which is nearer the Fiveways Trail.
First time in Brighton? If you are walking, then be prepared for some steep hills! Not to worry many venues have lovely teas, coffees and cake to help you. Trails mark disabled accessibility.
Theres more than one trail! Plan your particular trail: Some of the trails cover a wide area, I recommend starting at the top of hills and working down to the houses, its a lot of fun.
Can you buy the artwork? Yes I would say all houses have artwork made by local artists for sale. There is a big variation of price ranges, in our house it is from under £20 to up to £2,000. We always have an annual prize draw in our house with a small artwork being awarded each weekend.
Nowadays you can usually pay by card but most accept cash. Make a note of any particular artwork you like by asking if you can take a photo and then jot down which house it is in, especially helpful if you are seeing lots that day. Chat with the artists they are super friendly!
What to expect: Gardens are often also open as well as the houses, artists are living in their house during the festival so often open up some rooms and cram themselves into the rest of the house for May! Not all have wheelchair access, but some do, these are marked on the venue link and the map (see above). You can expect an informal and friendly welcome, artists love showing their work and meeting people who have come especially to see them. You are supporting the artist directly. For me it is lovely to meet and greet people, usually after long hours in the studio over winter.
You can pick up the main Artist open house brochures with all the trails in or if you are in the area, the Fiveways Artists Open Houses brochure - in any house along the way. You will see the Open Houses as they have a big banner outside of the house.
best wishes Jane