Yes, this weekend finally sees the Brighton
Festival get underway. However, a nagging question haunts
the minds of some taking part in it this year. Is it as
good as it used to be? Those taking part have watched
as, over the past few years, the Festival seems to be
less one, cohesive whole and splits into smaller and smaller
parts, each seeking funding and revenue from the same
sources. Surely this cannot be good for the arts in Brighton
and Sussex? Wouldn’t a united front benefit all?
You can debate the point in our Forums, for that very
question is asked there this week.
We welcome an Outsider to our pages this week, a visitor,
like yourself, who shares his first time impressions of
the Brighton Open Houses with us over the coming weeks.
If you’ve been too shy to step over the threshold
of an Open House before, read his articles, see what you’re
missing and don’t leave it until the last weekend
to visit England’s biggest arts showcase.
The multi-talented Karren Urben is our featured artist
this week. One of the founding members of the Patcham
Group – whose ‘first in – last out’
slogan sticks in the brain as much as the chorus of ‘Mull
of Kintyre’ – she’s a well-liked and
respected member of Brighton’s artistic community
and if you read her article, you’ll see why. Energy
to spare, has Karren and we wish she’d send some
this way!
The Dragonfly House in Ditchling Rise is, we think, the
best-known Open House of them all. Owner Angie Meaden
- Bonnel talks about how it all started and why she does
it in this week’s House Profile.
You’ve had an artist, a house now have a whole new
group! Seven Dials Artists’ group is alive again
after a few years absence and offers one of the widest
range of arts and events on offer in any group. Not only
that but it’s so near Brighton Station that it can
claim to be the ‘first in – last out’
group for those of you who visit our thriving city by
train. Our Director (God bless him) says they’re
a warm and friendly bunch, too and he’s going to
see them the very first weekend. They must be good!
Finally, our Open House Virgin seems fit to crack a gasket.
Bear in mind that when you read her ‘to-do’
list, she only has ten days to do it in. Still, we hired
her because she’s a Superwoman who always delivers
her copy and photos on time. We’re not sure about
the outside loo, though…
