Annual Return To The Wrong Side Of The Tracks
17 Clyde Road BN1 4NN, Sun 12-6pm
If you’ve spent time perusing the local interest shelves of any Sussex bookshop you’re sure to have come across Snake River Press’ bright, handsomely printed local guides. As well as a hand in sponsoring this year’s Open Houses events, they’re exhibiting some of their collectable works up near London Road station, alongside water-colourist Curtis Tappenden, illustrator Fred Pipes and a half dozen other creatives. (SH)
The Cat House
2 Woodside Avenue BN1 5NF, Sat & Sun 11am-6pm
Nope, it’s not the house of old cat lady with a penchant for watercolours of Fluffy, but a space by Preston Park station dedicated to seven artists’ endeavours. Look for Paul Stapleton, who masterminded the popular BN1 board game; Catherine Lake, who makes beautiful 3D art from discarded vintage remnants; and Jill Christie, who utilises traditional studio pottery techniques to create stunning earthenware. Great for gifts and great for a browse. (JMM)
Farm Mews Massive
Farm Road BN3 1GH, Sat & Sun 11am-6pm
Consisting of 14 artists and a dog called Mongo, the Farm Mews Massive are a diverse bunch. Counting jewellers, painters and mosaic makers amongst their numbers, they are holding workshops and open studios to demonstrate their various wares and skills. It’s on the same site as the Naked Eye Art Gallery, if you fancy looking at even more creative creations. (JMM)
Lisa’s Open House
18 Belgrave Street BN2 9NS, Sat & Sun 11am-5pm
Lisa Holdcroft’s cartoonish artwork has found its way into hundreds of homes through her illustrations for the Cheeky Guide To Brighton book series. She opens up her Hanover home to the public for the first time this year, and as well as exhibiting her pictures she’s produced a Where’s Wally? style Brighton quiz to keep the children entertained. (SH)
Studio323
32 Palmeira Square BN3 2JP, Sat & Sun 11am-6pm
Ted Davis is an inclusive kind of photographer, and in the warm inviting manner of the Open Houses is opening up his studio to anyone who wants to see how it all works and have their picture taken by a professional. The shots will then be styled as fine art prints and available to buy via his website. Elsewhere in the house will be paintings, landscape photography and leather goods. (JMM)
21A Brunswick Square
Hove BN3 1EJ, Sat & Sun 11am-6pm
SOURCE often calls on the talents of Rob Orchard, a man who can be found out and about with his camera seven nights a week at the city’s gigs. As well as producing the Brighton Music Blog, he’ll be exhibiting photographic works at this large group open house. Fellow photographers Kate Benjamin and Alex and Lisa Bamford also take part, next to papercuts and more from Hannah Cole and Lee Allbrow, Maureen Brigden’s sculpture, Chris Harrison’s graphic art and jewellery by Rock Cakes. (SH)
UK Contemporary Open House
24A Buckingham Place BN1 3PJ, Sat & Sun 12-5pm
Stencil artist Martin Middleton has the unsung distinction of reinventing the streets of Brighton, when his bright Cassette Lord designs proliferated across telephone junction boxes throughout the city. Many of those distinctive pieces have since disappeared under the work of other sponsored artists, but his pieces at the UK Contemporary will remind you of what we’ve lost. Also exhibiting are Elise Buddle, Patson Ncube and Claire Wrixon. (SH)
Words by Stuart Huggett, Jessica Marshall McHattie
