Artists & Makers in Brighton & Worthing
For five years, one group has consistently shown work by the best artists and makers from the South Coast. And this Christmas, exhibitions in Worthing and Brighton offer two chances to catch the fastest rising stars of the contemporary art scene.
RAG, formed around a group of practicing professional painters, potters, performers and photographers in late 2000, has grown to include everything from contemporary textile arts to conceptual installation. No other group shows such a diverse range of work, and that�s one of RAG�s strengths. Another is the accessible way that the work is shown to an ever-growing audience of admirers, art fans and collectors.
Alongside exhibitions in gritty contemporary gallery spaces (like the Brighton Fringe Basement, June 05), RAG regularly show work in community spaces. In late November, the group take over Brighton�s Start Contemporary Gallery (to coincide with the massive Brighton Art Fair, which takes place just a few doors away) � and in early December, RAG stage their annual festive arts event, Artists & Makers at St Matthew�s, Worthing. For one night and one day the dramatic church, with its vaulted wooden roof, becomes part exciting art space, part contemporary craft fair.
Both exhibitions offer a great opportunity to see and buy contemporary prints and paintings, alongside a 21st century take on crafts like rag rugs, textile arts, jewellery and handmade cards. In the run up to Christmas, the exhibitions will be packed with affordable, unique and unusual gifts. As RAG artists have shown in venues like the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, design show Urban Interiors, the Oxo Tower�s Bargehouse Gallery and the prestigious Petworth House gallery � the two shows offer a great chance to snap up a bargain.
�We�re not a �local� arts group,� says RAG�s Dan Thompson, �but a group of the best contemporary artists, makers and designers who happen to live in Sussex. And these two shows are as good as it gets!�
RAG exhibit at the Start Contemporary Gallery, Church Street, Brighton from 17th � 27th November. The gallery is open Thursday � Sunday, from 10am � 5pm.
Artists & Makers at St Matthew�s, Tarring Road, Worthing takes place from 7 � 9pm on Friday 2nd December, and from 10am � 6pm on Saturday 3rd December. RAG�s fairtrade caf� will be open during the event.