As the weather grows ridiculously cold and every conversation begins with some comment on it, one finds oneself with an increasing lack of will to venture out of bed on a weekend. However, hear me out. The Winter Artists Open Houses are a lovely reason to get out of the house, without the pressure of needing to be anywhere specific at a specific time, to explore this Brightonian festival.
This bi-annual festival is held on weekends in May and November-December, with free-entry Open Houses featuring either studios or homes of the artists themselves. Free to browse, the art can be bought, and some artists also offer paid workshops and refreshments/light snacks for visitors. Last year’s winter Open Houses offered over 50 houses open over the weekends, and this season’s Open Houses will be held on the weekends between 29 November and 14 December.
Tarot card illustrations: Chris Riddell.
During the May Open Houses, I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Riddell, the Brighton-based illustrator known for his whimsical style in Goth Girl, my favourite childhood series The Edge Chronicles, during the Spring Open Houses. Some of his work is displayed in Falmer Library, and it was a really cool experience to see his art, which I grew up admiring and that of his wife, Jo Riddell, who is also a talented artist.
While visiting other studios and homes around Brighton, I had the chance to chat with local artists and even learn of the existence of studios tucked away in the corners of town I often frequent but never knew existed. The Open Houses host a wide variety of artists, talented in various media, including jewellery, sculpture, print, textiles, and other forms of art.
Originally established in 2004, the Artists Open Houses was founded with the goal of strengthening the local art community and creating art trails that have turned the small group into a bi-annual festival. However, this “phenomenon”, according to the Artists The Open House website, originated in 1982 with artist Ned Hoskins opening his house up for art-viewings to the general public.
Eventually, this became the Fiveways Artists Group and later the Open Houses running today, which maintains the “ethos of inclusivity, welcoming all local practising artists of whatever age and at whatever stage of their career.
”The Open Houses within the East Sussex area now include artists located in Brighton and Hove, as well as Lewes, Newhaven, and Ditchling. Open Houses often form trails, but many are independent. More information regarding specific artists, where they are, and open house details can be found on the Artists Open Houses official website. If you do end up wandering around, the houses are easy to spot and usually have Open House banners in the front.
I suppose to reiterate, the Open Houses this season give one the chance to pop into a pub mid-gander for the first mulled drink of the season or just any warm beverage. It’s pretty hard to go wrong with a hot chocolate 🙂 I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited for this reason to have another wander around Brighton, admiring and supporting the talent of local artists, and I hope after this, you are too.
Another article you may enjoy: https://thebadgeronline.com/2025/11/the-brighton-veteran-car-run/
