So, let’s go back to our original question – what’s an Open House then?

First, a little history and back to our Outsider again. He visited the Fiveways trail last year and visited the very first artist in Brighton to open his home to the public, Ned Hoskins:

‘Ned first opened his house to the public in 1982, inspired by the fact that Rembrandt didn’t need a gallery to sell his art: clients simply went to his house. Where Ned led, others followed…’

So that, quite simply, is what an Open House is: a way for an artist to sell his art without going through a Gallery. There are numerous advantages to both the artist and the art buyer in this; principally, cost. The artist who shows his or her work in a gallery knows that the gallery will add upwards of a 100% plus commission onto the price the artist charges them for the work. Yes, that’s right, 100% PLUS.

Now, this is not intended to suggest that galleries are ripping off potential purchasers because they are not – galleries can spend a lot of time looking for, helping and encouraging emerging talent. They promote new artists while at the same time having to pay rent, rates and all the other business bills that the giant MacDonald’s or Starbucks next door will be paying - and believe me, they don’t make anywhere near the profits of our Burger and Coffee producing friends.

Rather, it’s to suggest to the potential visitor that if they buy a work directly through an Open House in those 4 short weekends in May, there are huge savings to be made. If you think of the Brighton Open Houses as the largest visual arts exhibition you’re ever likely to see, offering professional work at excellent prices, then you will understand why they are the biggest draw in the Brighton Festival. The smart people, looking to buy quality art from established and emerging names at the very best prices, have been visiting them for years. The Open Houses are often referred to as ‘the Art buyers’ best kept secret’ and it’s easy to see why.

If you haven’t already, it’s time you joined the smart people.