THIS weekend, hundreds of artists and makers will open their houses to the public.

It’s a rare opportunity to view their work in the place it was created – and a chance to buy work directly from the artists in their own homes.

Covering Brighton, Hove, Rottingdean and Ditchling, the annual Artists Open Houses festival is the largest event of its kind in the UK, featuring more than 200 houses and studio spaces in the summer and about 60 during the Christmas festival.

Some 1,500 artists and makers exhibited their work in homes and studios throughout the city during this year’s May festival – providing a unique snapshot into their world.

This year’s winter festival will include a diverse selection of artwork, ceramics, jewellery, toys and homewares, providing an opportunity to pick up some alternative Christmas presents.

Highlights include, local abstract painter Abigail Bowen, illustrator and muralist Amber Elise, and street photographer JJ Waller, whose pictures “shine a light on the unique flavour of life in Brighton”.

The popular Chocolate House in Hangleton Way will also be returning from the May festival.

This year’s event will also include Urban Miniatures, a model city in a Duke’s Lane shop space that has been adapted, painted and subverted by a line-up of 40 international graffiti,

urban and contemporary artists.

First taking place in 1981, the Open House movement began in Brighton when Ned Hoskins, an artist living in the Fiveways area of Brighton, wanted to protest about the lack of visual arts in Brighton Festival.

Hoskins filled his home with his own and other artist’s work and opened the doors to the public.

Other artists in the area followed suit and formed the Fiveways Artists Group.

In a city full of creatives, the idea proved popular and soon Artists Open Houses sprang up all over the city.

The Artists Open Houses festival begins on Saturday and runs for three consecutive weekends, ending on December 8.

A full list of participating artists can be found at aoh.org.uk/xmas2019.