City's artists to throw open their doors for weekends through May

Around 200 houses and studio spaces across the city will open their doors to exhibit the work of more than 1,500 artists and makers.

Last year more than 200,000 people visited the festival.

Artists Open Houses (AOH) helps artists connect with audiences in self-curated, non-traditional art spaces.

This usually means visiting artists’ own homes, offering festival-goers an exclusive snapshot of how creatives live in this vibrant city.

From beautiful Regency-style properties to quirky and colourful cottages, many of the houses boast stunning gardens creatively landscaped by their owners.

AOH also offers the chance to buy artworks directly from the artists and makers themselves.

There is a hugely diverse selection of artworks on show, from original paintings, prints, graffiti arts, ceramics and textiles to photography, sculpture, crafts, jewellery and many other media.

The houses are grouped into one of 14 trails around different areas of the city and beyond, each with its own unique character and atmosphere – from the fishermen’s houses of Hanover to the urban warehouse spaces of the North Laine and cottages of the South Downs village of Ditchling.

Festival highlights include A Curious Taxonomy – Penelope Curry ; SEAS - Somewhere Over the Rainbow; Maison de Papier, Julie Nelson – Flock; Encounters with John Constable – John Constable’s Studio; Ewan McDougall – 17 Adelaide Crescent.

Entry to the Artists Open Houses festival is free to the public.

Full listings can be found at www.aoh.org.uk