Brighton Fringe's Top Picks for Artists Open Houses

This year, Artists Open Houses celebrate its 40th anniversary. Running on weekends from the 7 – 29 May, there’s countless homes and studios for you to explore every artistic discipline.

We’ve had a look at their programme and have showcased our top picks below for you to check out.

EMERGING ARTISTS’ EXHIBITION: TOWARDS THE LIGHT

At The Regency Townhouse

Ned Hoskins believed in encouraging young artists. He was an inspirational tutor and took the work of young artists very seriously, inviting students and fellow artists’ children to exhibit in his Open House. Nurturing the next generation of artists was crucial.

Reflecting Ned’s concern, this exhibition invited artists just setting out on their creative practices to submit work connecting to the theme Towards the Light. A title taken from one of Ned Hoskins’ paintings.

In recognition of the difficulties that the last two years has brought to exhibition making, especially for those in the early stages of their careers, this exhibition seeks to showcase new or recent works by emerging artists in the Brighton and Hove area, reflecting ways in which they have continued to create and push boundaries despite recent challenges.

All the artists exhibiting in this exhibition are within the first three years of developing their practice.

UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON FINE ART STUDENT EXHIBITION: TOWARDS THE LIGHT

At The Regency Townhouse

The exhibition at Regency Town House Basement features artworks by four current University of Brighton Fine Art course students. The artists employ a diversity of art practice forms when addressing the contemporary subjects of relationships, migration, workers value and considerations of identity.

Exhibiting artists:

Finn Gayton

Sara Paowana

Megan Ryan

Melanie Woodward

AOH BROCHURE COVER ARTIST: GARY GOODMAN

At The Old Market

Gary Goodman is a painter and poet who works from a shed at the end of his garden. Gary has exhibited his paintings and prints and has performed his poetry around the world: from the frozen wastes of Norway and Alaska down to the warmth of New Zealand and the Southern States of USA.

Gary teaches at various colleges and universities and runs workshops in drawing, painting and printmaking. He likes animals and thunderstorms and lots of other things, often producing his best work when bored.

Gary’s work has a strength and rawness; his imagery is resoundingly direct, unbothered by artistic self-consciousness and politeness; unrefined, unmannerly yet sensitive. His art is about another world born of this world. A world you might not want to look at because it seems forever winter, cold and sad. But there is an unbearable attraction, a familiarity and a longing.

MONTEFIORE ARTISTS

36 Montefiore Road

This year the exhibition focuses on inclusion and brings together artists with learning disabilities from across the organisation, celebrating rich and varied talent.

The exhibition highlights work on paper with drawing, painting, collage and print, and we will also be showcasing recent films which speak of people’s lives while reflecting personal stories.

We will have some interactive paper-based activities for you to join in with, so we look forward to welcoming you!

DEVILS DYKE FARM

Devils Dyke Farm

We are delighted to welcome you to this brand new venue just outside Brighton with stunning views over the South Downs and the City to the sea. We’re located on the historic site of the terminus station of the Dyke Railway, complete with the original platform and this is the first time it’s been open to the public since 1938!

Our fantastic range of artists and makers has been curated by Lisa Green of Treacle and Ginger, and we’ll be hosting Figment Arts as part of the Artists Open Houses 40th anniversary celebrations.

Local legends White Cloud Coffee will be providing tea, coffee and cakes and there’s a licensed bar too.

THE CERAMIC HOUSE

75 Stanmer Villas

Peripheries is the first event in EDGES, an ambitious international ceramic and sound art project between Estonia, Ireland and the UK that will continue until spring 2024.

The Ceramic House hosts an international residency; two Irish sound artists collaborate with two Estonian ceramic artists, and their work will be on display, accompanied by an exhibition of contemporary ceramics by leading Estonian artists.

The artworks are displayed against the unique background of Kay Aplin’s architectural ceramics.