Saturday April 30^th

Renata Braimah, the collector, promoter and patron of Zimbabwean and Nigerian art, and the owner of Africart Open House on the Prestonville Trail, held her grand opening party today in the presence of the Mayor of Brighton.

Sandy McIntyre, the Trinidad and Tobagan poet, opened the ceremony with a call and response chant with the audience, calling to spirits of sky, wind, mountains, valleys, fire, lakes, waters and the ocean [especially for Brighton], followed by the pouring of rum onto the grass as a libation. He was accompanied by live music from Linos Wengara Magaya, three Zimbabwean musicians in traditional dress [including spectacular feathered headdress], playing traditional music from their CD Zimbabwe Mbira Vibes [see www.africart.tv].

Renata thanked everyone for joining her to celebrate, and introduced the Mayor, Councillor Pat Drake.

The Mayor said in her speech that 'it is a pleasure to be here in my own ward to celebrate Africart's tenth anniversary in this perfect setting.'  She added  'you've produced a wonderful display, a real celebration, as the Artists' Open Houses go from strength to strength, and the Prestonville Trail is just one small part.' Speaking about the recent brochure launch celebrations, she commented on how immensely popular the Open House festival is, adding 'the chance to see inside people's beautiful houses and share their love of art is the greatest joy in the Brighton Festival. I'm pleased to be a part of this special celebration.'

The Mayor said later that she was having a wonderful day – opening a Boat Show, then a basketball event on the sea front in aid of the Special Olympics, before coming here. She must be the busiest person in Brighton, with  550 engagements this month.

Speaking exclusively to the AOH website, she added that it was breathtaking to see a collection of this size and variety, with such vibrancy, and admired the tactile strokeable finish of the sculptures. She complimented all the Open House owners for giving up their living space to produce something so wonderful.

The Deputy Mayor of Newhaven, Robert Robertson, was also present, noting that Newhaven too is part of the AOH with ten houses this year, and mentioned that on Sunday May 8^th, Newhaven Fort will be hosting a special event marking the end of World War Two.

Young sculptor Fergus Murphy bought a piece of stone to take home.  At just 9 years old, he is already a veteran sculptor of three years standing.

The house looks deceptively small on first arriving, but it unfolds and expands as you walk through the modern, cool, chic interior out to the garden which extends down the hillside on which it is built. One bedroom has the luxury of opening onto a decked balcony dotted with African sculpture, shaded with pine boughs and with spectacular views over the City and the South Downs.

Guests, Bucks Fizz in hand, explored secret staircases, terraces and decks, making a new discovery of garden sculptures of birds, animals, human figures and abstracts around each corner among the trees. Many pieces are carved from verdite stone, worked with hand tools and often heated with a blow torch to achieve a polished finish.

Pieces including cards, batiks and paintings, tiny pendants, small ornaments and large-scale sculptures are all available to buy.

Sculptors from Africart will be hosting demonstrations and free drop-in workshops in Zimbabwean stone carving on Brighton seafront in front of the Fishing Museum on Sunday May 1^st between 10am and 4pm.

Overheard in the garden - "A place full of surprises…"

Africart is open to the public Bank Holiday Monday May 2nd

All four Festival weekends in May

Bank Holiday Monday May 30^th.