The Brighton art scene – diverse, exciting, contemporary
Brighton is well known as a city of diversity, and the Brighton art scene perfectly reflects this spirit. Art in Brighton is not just about galleries such as ours; it also embraces a wider concept of art to include architecture, fashion, literature, poetry, street art, tattoos and performing arts such as theatre, cabaret, comedy, dance and music.
Art is truly the soul of Brighton and the creative energy is intoxicating. With two universities, alongside colleges and foreign language schools, the population is in a constant state of flux – bringing new ideas from across the UK and the rest of the world.
All this combined makes the Brighton art scene an enticing destination for both established and emerging artists...and those who want the opportunity to enjoy their creative works.
A festival almost every day - if you can keep up!
Brighton is a vibrant city that loves to party, and along with this comes a festival culture to rival any city in the world.
The biggest events are the Brighton Festival and the Brighton Fringe, both of which promote the arts in many forms, delivered by guests from around the world. The Brighton Fringe in particular pushes the boundaries of artistic expression, displaying stimulating and challenging art works and installations. This year, the Brighton Festival is on from the 4th to the 26th of May and tickets go on general sale on 22nd February at 9 am. Take a look at their website to find out more about the 2024 programme.
Brighton Fringe will run from the 3rd of May to the 2nd of June and tickets are on sale now. There's so much to see at Brighton Fringe this year, including art exhibitions like the WachArt exhibition. You can explore a selection of artworks that go beyond social boundaries. Disenfranchised and non-mainstream local and international artists tell untold stories, heal social wounds and empower viewers with their positive imagery, so this is one exhibition not to be missed.
The Artists’ Open House Festival provides an opportunity to visit artists in their own homes and studios to watch them work and purchase their pieces directly, including jewellery, ceramics, sculpture and more traditional artworks. This festival is held twice a year, running for four weekends in May and returning later in November. Not only is the Open House Festival a unique alternative to traditional Brighton art exhibitions, it’s a great way to experience art and discover new talent. You can meet artists at all stages of their careers and find out more about their work. Lots of people buy their first piece of artwork at Open House and return year after year to support the local art community in Brighton. Best of all, entry to Open House is completely free.
Brighton Pride brings out the creativity even in those not usually predisposed to making art, with extraordinary costumes being the centrepiece of the breathtaking parades. From Friday the 2nd to Sunday the 4th of August 2024, Brighton will be celebrating the whole LGBTQ+ community and there will be a range of different events taking place over the weekend. Take a look at the Brighton Pride website to find out more about the country’s most popular Pride event and what you can get involved in this summer.
Smaller festivals happen all year round too, focusing on subjects as diverse as photography, tattoos, Japanese art, kite art and literature.
Street art in Brighton – something around every corner
Brighton is synonymous with street art, with extraordinary murals and graffiti found throughout the city. Street art is something that everyone can enjoy and you don’t need to be an art enthusiast to explore the colourful streets of Brighton. Visiting a gallery or an art exhibition isn’t the only way to see some of the most inspiring pieces of art in Brighton, they might be just around the corner painted onto the wall of a pub.
Banksy’s “Kissing Coppers'' was originally painted at the Prince Albert pub - where a copy still resides - and is now surrounded by a huge mural of 50 famous musicians. A trip to Trafalgar Lane – locally referred to as 'Grafalgar Lane' is a must for street art fans who want to keep up with the latest offerings.
At Helm we work with several prominent street artists from across the global scene, including well-known names AROE and Skirl, so keep an eye on our own events for street art on the inside!
Helm Art Gallery – leading the way
Helm Art Gallery sits at the heart of the cultural quarter of Brighton, surrounded by a perpetual buzz of creativity. Helm delivers an ever-changing display of exceptional artworks, with an exhibition hall gaining a reputation for its innovative events, a library of exceptional art and design journals and books, plus a coffee and cocktail bar offering a select group of exquisitely prepared drinks. All of these blend to provide a unique, immersive experience.
At Helm, we display several artists and there is a variety of different types of art to experience. From the contemporary glass and neon pieces by Andy Doig to the instantly recognisable blue and black textured pieces by Skirl. No matter what type of art you’re interested in or if you’ve ever been to an art exhibition in Brighton before, there will be something on our walls that catches your eye and gets you thinking. We are all about creating a welcoming space where art is brought to life and enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
We have different Brighton art exhibitions throughout the year and we are looking forward to our first open call exhibition in spring. Unity will bring the community together to promote positivity and collaboration. We will curate, hang and promote selected works from painters, sculptors, illustrators and photographers, giving emerging artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their work. If you or someone you know would be perfect for this exhibition, you can submit your artwork for consideration via our website.
To make art more accessible for people who might be apprehensive about walking into an art exhibition in Brighton, we host lots of great events too. From Sip & Paint nights to Art & Cocktails nights, these events are the ideal way to get up close and personal with art without any pressure. You can learn more about our current exhibitions or get your own creative juices flowing, all while enjoying our curated drinks menu. Everyone is welcome at Helm and we want to make our gallery a fun place to spend time.
Here at Helm, we’re proud to be part of the dynamic Brighton art scene – come along and say hello, or contact our team for more information.
