Six Artists Open House, at 6 Clifton Street, is part of the Seven Dials Trail and this will be our fourth year of opening.
We first decided to open to provide a showcase for resident artist Judy Steven's wood engravings. She has since branched out into silk screen prints and this year will be showing large coloured wood cuts as well.
The majority of the guest artists exhibiting in the house that first year were friends whose work we admired. Having a group of people who are at ease with each other makes for a harmonious environment – visitors often comment on the tranquil atmosphere – but it's often fun too, I don't think anyone could call our private view tranquil!.
Personally liking an artists work remains a criterion for us choosing to have them in the house, those who we didn't know personally at first have often become friends.
It has always been our aim to show a wide variety of work, in the best, most professional way possible within the restrictions of a domestic setting. We were obviously influenced by other houses we thought had done this well, notably the Dragonfly House in Ditchling Rise, and 5 Chesham Street. While Six has absorbed those influences, it has developed its own unique character.

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