Brighton and Hove is extraordinarily creative. There’s no better time to experience this than in May where the Artist Open Houses and Brighton festival combine.

What are the Artist Open Houses?

Every weekend in May nearly 200 artists open their homes, gardens, studios and galleries for the public to hear how artist and makers work is made, the inspiration, challenges and stories. The city is split into 10 main trails where you can walk the streets of Hanover, Seven Dials and Kemptown following a map to guide you between the 12-23 houses open on that trail.

What to expect in a house?

Houses can vary from solo shows to a combination of multiple artists and makers under one roof. A vast variety of disciplines are on show from woodwork, textiles, painting, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, photography and many more.

I love to pick a trail, be really nosy, discover beautiful homes, chat first hand to the artist and have tea and cake in their garden.

I recommend picking up a brochure locally from any of the houses, or downloading the map online. More info can be found here.

Lara Bowen Contemporary Artist Open Houses StephieAnn

Some of my favourite houses include –

Lara Bowen Contemporary – Number 3 on the Independent trail

A beautiful explosion of abstract jewel and pastel coloured paintings with a mix of modern products. Unit 9, Lion Mews, Richardson Road, Hove, BN3 5RA (left)

Art in Bloom – Number 14 on the Hove trail

Karen’s garden is gorgeously curated with sculptures, in amongst peonies and alliums. Enjoy cake in the garden, Karen’s floral paintings and ceramics. 27 Wilbury Avenue, Hove, BN3 6HS (bottom left)

Dion Salvador Lloyd – Number 12 on the Hove trail

A must see for artists, I visit Dion’s house every year to see his creative, delicate, Turner style oil paintings. Plus his flat is gorgeous! 16 Goldstone Villas, Hove, BN3 3RQ (bottom middle)

StephieAnn shop and studio dried flowers test tubes

The Flamingo House – Number 5 on the Hove trail

A fantastic house for gifts with a selection of unique products from designer makers. Plus the vegan lunch is delicious, even better when sat in Charlie’s wonderful garden. 14a Wilbury Road, Hove, BN3 3JN (top right)

The Studio Gallery – Number 5 on the West Hove trail

Just down the road from the StephieAnn studio, this gallery is set in a stunning mews with glorious exposed brick work that compliments the contemporary art and products on display. 3 Westbourne Grove, Hove, BN3 5PJ (right)

A Day Trip to Ditchling

Ditchling has its own vibrant trail mixed with luxurious jewellery at Pruden and Smith, paintwork and traditional handicrafts at the Turner Dumbrell Workshops. Ditchling is a wonderful village, set gorgeously in the countryside.

You can of course visit StephieAnn, number 4 on the West Hove trail where you’ll find the whole StephieAnn range, my original sketchbooks and demonstrations with my embroidery machine. 87 Portland Road, Hove, BN3 5DP