It is a city of seemingly unlimited culture and creativity, where dazzling skill and fertile imagination oozes from every pore.

From today, for the first four weekends in May, Artists Open Houses 2015 exhibits the work of more than 1,000 artists across Brighton and Hove.

The range of work remains as varied as ever – from original paintings, prints, graffiti, ceramics and textiles to photography, sculpture, crafts, jewellery and more.

And this year there are more than 40 new houses and studios to explore.

Judy Stevens, Artists Open Houses director, said: “We are thrilled to have so many new artists and houses taking part in this year’s festival.

“Brighton and Hove is an incredibly creative city with a wealth of talent.

“The festival is a fantastic platform for artists and makers and it’s a testament to its success that so many of them want to be involved.”

The concept dates back to 1981, when Ned Hoskins opened his house to the public. Others in the area followed suit to form the Fiveways Artist Group. The idea proved popular and expanded from there.

Today, the houses are grouped into 14 trails around different areas of the city and its surrounds, each with its own character, from the fishermen’s houses of Hanover to the urban warehouse spaces of the North Laine and cottages of the South Downs village of Ditchling. Entry to the houses is free and visitors have the option of buying some of the pieces on show.

Among the new artists this year are Joanna Osborne, opening her Grade II-listed house to exhibit dog-themed work by ten artists including successful portrait painter Sally Muir, winner of the Holburne Portrait Prize in 2012 (The Dog Show, 33 Sillwood Road, Brighton).

Brazilian designer Flavia Madeu creates jewellery out of wild rubber from the Amazon rainforest and will be exhibiting along with mosaic artist Helen van de Linden and painter Seana Mercedes Allen at Old College House, Flat 6, 8-10 Richmond Terrace, Brighton.

The Oriental Hotel in Oriental Place, Brighton, is also opening its doors as an artist house for the first time, showcasing five artists covering illustration, photography, printmaking and ceramics.

Elsewhere, British designer Bernard Lodge, best known for his work on early Doctor Who logos and title sequences, is exhibiting some woodcut prints alongside last year’s Artist of the Year winner Tony Bowen at The Old Market in Upper Market Street, Hove.

Southdown Mental Health Recovery Service is also presenting a range of work promoting recovery from ill health at 18 Preston Park Avenue, Brighton.

And among the photographers this year, Andrew Forsyth made it to the final of the 50th Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The 46-year-old, who has lived in Brighton for more than 20 years, said: “There’s so much to enjoy in being creative and working outdoors.”

His recent work focuses on the city’s starling murmurations and is displayed at 24 Balfour Road, Brighton.

Visit aoh.org.uk for the full programme and for more details.

You will be greeted by a triumphant trompe l’oeil piece

THERE’S more than meets the eye in many ways at the Collectors’ Selection.
Art enthusiasts Karin Janzon and Helmut Lusser have opened their front door to the public for the past eight years.


And the first piece of work to greet visitors is likely to be the most beguiling: a painting by Diane Brandrett entitled Looking Out At The Bandstand. It is a trompe l’oeil – pronounced “tromp lay”, French for “deceive the eye”.


The married couple, originally from Sweden, had it painted in 2006 as a quirky welcoming image to their home.


Mrs Janzon said: “We filled our house with art from open houses and then wanted to promote them and see if our tastes chimed with others.


“We have a core group of artists but always have some new ones each year.”


Two new artists this year are Brighton-based Pierre Diamantopoulo, showcasing stoneware sculptures and vibrant paitings, and Fiona Morley, who paints on canvasses but also uses wire to lift the drawn line from the page. “Her work is very striking and unusual,” Mrs Janzon said.


Other artists include John Alden, exhibiting fascinating wooden toys operated by levers, handles, cogs and springs, including performing penguins, breakfasting salamanders, batty witches, chatty birds and miniature harbours.


Another exhibitor is Hazel Reeves, who was commissioned to create a bronze statue of Sir Nigel Gresley, the railway engineer who designed the Flying Scotsman and Mallard steam engines. A 7ft 4in sculpture of him is to appear in King’s Cross Station next April with a model of the sculpture on show at the Janzons’ house.


The Collectors’ Selection runs on the first and last weekends of the festival, including bank holidays, at 43 Hove Park Villas, Hove.