Artists Open Houses Christmas 2009, Various venues, weekends from Nov 28-29 to Dec 12-13 (From The Argus)

Artists Open Houses Christmas 2009, Various venues, weekends from Nov 28-29 to Dec 12-13

For the seventh year, artists across Brighton and Hove are opening their homes to visitors in search of elusive and unique Christmas treats.

Artists Open Houses Christmas 2009, Various venues, weekends from Nov 28-29 to Dec 12-13

What makes this year special is that for the first time the Christmas Artists Open Houses event has expanded from two to three weekends, due to popular demand.

“It’s got bigger and bigger every year,” says spokesman Ruth Cobb. “Based on the feedback from last year from both the houses and visitors it was decided to increase it to three weekends.

“People wanted it to start a bit earlier in the year so they could pick up those unusual and unique Christmassy things.”

Part of that desire was due to the numbers of handmade Christmas cards and gift tags on offer – many of which now feature scenes from last winter’s unexpected snowfall.

In fact, as part of this year’s event, the website Visit Brighton is running a competition to win a print of Tony Bowall’s Beach Huts In The Snow photograph (pictured below), worth £350, which will be on display at The Happy House, better known as The Garden Flat, in Third Avenue, Hove.

The Artists Open Houses scheme is open to anyone who wants to take part, with several hundred local artists showing their work in more than 75 venues, which also include locations in Rottingdean, Lewes, Newhaven, Saltdean and Ditchling – a big expansion on the 16 homes that took part in the first year.

“The Christmas Open Houses are slightly more focused on shopping and gifts rather than pure art,” says Ruth. “The items on show are more craft items, and slightly less expensive than the May event.

“It’s more about textiles, ceramics or small gift ideas than choosing artwork for your home, although people still do that.”

As well as a chance to nose around a few artists’ homes and purchase their latest works, some of the houses also offer the chance to join in workshops or craft activities.

This year’s Open Houses has linked up with Brighton And Hove City Council’s Be Local Buy Local campaign, as all proceeds from sales go directly to local artists.

“Brighton’s artistic community is part of what makes Brighton,” says Ruth. “So many creative people live here. What’s so nice about it is you get to see inside some lovely houses, and you are made to feel very welcome in a fantastic festive atmosphere.

“You can also talk to the artists themselves and find out what inspired them.”

The May Artists Open Houses event, which coincides with Brighton Festival and Fringe, is fast approaching its 2011 30th anniversary.

For next year’s 29th event, as well as hundreds of Brighton and Hove artists opening their doors, the curated show House is returning, following a trial run at the 2009 festival.

“There will be a lot of film and performance and audience interaction – it should be quite a fun event,” says Judy Stevens, who is in charge of development and coordination for Artists Open Houses.

“It is still about art in a domestic space, reflecting that Brighton has very little dedicated visual art gallery space.

“It’s really Brighton’s response to it. We haven’t got that big infrastructure so artists in Brighton are creating their own.”

*Various times, free.

*Visit www.aoh.org.uk *For a chance of winning Beach Huts In The Snow, click into the competitions section at www.visitbrighton.com