Artists Open Houses - The Forge Newhaven

We headed over to Newhaven for the 'Breakfast Private View' of the Forge Open House at South Heighton. The Forge is on the top of a small hill overlooking the Ouse Valley with fantastic views towards Piddinghoe and Rodmell in the valley and the Downs beyond. They have a large wooded natural garden with chickens wandering through housed in one of Christian Funnels scallop roofed bird houses. The garden shows off Christian's sculptural work and his fire baskets and birdbaths very well.

Christian Funnell's tree. We really pleased that Christian's larger work will be featured in the entrance lobby of the Brighton Art Fair in September.

Rhoda also serves lovely homemade cream teas in the garden during festival weekends and on days like this it is well worth the trip to Newhaven to unwind in a cool and beautiful garden. Inside the house as always they have put together a great show of a number of brilliant artists and makers from blockprinted wrapping paper, to ceramics and jewellery as well as prints and paintings - see listing as I didn't take too many photo's. Clicke HERE for full details


Christian Funnell's Birdbath/Wind feathers

View over the Ouse Valley towards Rodmell from the house with Christians Sculptures and studio in the foreground.

Exhibiting in the Studio was Jo Lamb who was showing her paintings some of which she said were her 'Farewell to Newhaven' where she lived for many years before returning to Lewes earlier this year.


Jo Lamb's more emblematic paintings.


I really liked Guy Funnell's lovely (and very affordable) paintings of Seaford Head and the Forge Garden in the snow.


Apologies for the photo's - Sarah points out it might be an idea if I square up paintings by standing in front of them! I'll try and get her to take more as she's much better.