The Private Views last week gave a taster for things to come. First off was the PV for Unravelling The Manor House at Preston Manor . Here 12 contemporary artists have added their art to the already fascinating collections in this Edwardian country house. It’s a kind of artistic treasure hunt, trying to spot the interventions. Is it that piece of rogue embroidery there? Or that slightly out-of-place glass object there? The ones upstairs, including a video piece by Ingrid Plum, are perhaps more obviously found. There is an admission fee, but you’ll get a discount on production of an AOH brochure.

On Friday night the whole town was celebrating the eve of the Festival and I popped along to two new Open House venues: 37 Park Crescent (Venue BL16) and Crescent Studios (Venue BL18) directly opposite. Jenny Shaw’s house is full of stunning paintings, by her, Elisabeth Bell, Ron Cavedaschi and others. The divine wooden boxes by lute-maker Stephen Gottlieb are a joy to open and close. You also get a glimpse into the secret garden behind the crescent, accessible only through the houses. Crescent Studios is the latest studio complex to open in Brighton, and houses amongst many others etcher Heike Roesel, who uses a completely acid-free method to produce her abstracts, and painter Mike Bishop, with his hallucinogenic take on local landmarks. Third PV of the evening was 99 Ditchling Rise (Venue BL4) where Barbara Jones was showing her frocks, Sharifa Brooks Read her stylish prints, and much much more.

Saturday was the first full day and I was invigilating at the Dragonfly House (Venue BL8), where there are several new artists and makers, including oil painter Claire Grose and Vanessa Rattray, who makes giclee prints from highly detailed scraperboard drawings. As always Angie Meaden-Bonnel has assembled two floors of fabulous arts and crafts, everything from ceramics to jewellery. A must-see venue. Afterwards I popped across the road to 30 Gerard Street (Venue BL5) to see Frances Bloomfield’s intriguing typographic boxes – the ones that when lit theatrically provide the subject of her award-winning photographs. Pete Fraser too has been snapping the stars though obscured glass. Don’t forget to look up at the giant installation outside their house (see photo). On the way back from town, I called in at York Place Studios (Venue BL14) where graffitti artist Swifty has transformed the ground floor into a pop art newsagents. Other studio members are exhibiting their paintings upstairs. That’s all for now… plenty more photos in our Flickr pool.

This is a rare opportunity for a person or group who wish to run a retail outlet, which can also be a workspace. Might suit a gallerist or craftsperson or an AOH group who no longer wish to show from home. Low outgoings and no premium. The lease is under the umbrella of the Studio Group. We are flexible and prepared to consider a short occupancy.

It is small shop on the London Road near St Peter’s church that is in an 1820s building housing artists studios and will be available from February. Centrally situated in a road with a lot of pedestrian traffic. The upper floors house studio spaces used by a small group of fine artists and designers, with a shared kitchen and WC. There is a large garden to the rear that can be accessed through the shop and has lot of potential.

For details and a discussion please contact Ernie Burke at bburke01@aol.com