Spotlight On Arts – Art House Opens Doors To Creativity Across The City
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What happens when artists open their homes and creative spaces to the public?
That question was explored during Art-House Leicester, the annual arts event that transforms homes, studios and domestic spaces into temporary galleries, inviting visitors to meet artists, discover new work and experience creativity in an informal setting.
For this edition of Spotlight on Arts, Soar Sound visited several Open House venues to speak with artists, exhibitors and hosts about their work and their experiences of taking part in one of the city’s most distinctive cultural events.
Unlike a conventional gallery exhibition, Open House offers visitors the chance to encounter artwork within the places where people live and work. Paintings hang alongside family photographs, sculptures sit within gardens and living rooms, and conversations emerge naturally between artists and visitors.
Throughout the weekend, hundreds of people explored the various venues, meeting artists whose practices span printmaking, painting, photography, textiles, ceramics and sculpture. The event provided opportunities not only to view artwork but also to learn more about the ideas, techniques and inspirations behind each piece.
Printmaker Peter Rapp explained how literature, mythology and sketching inform his work, while artist Lucy Stevens discussed her continuing exploration of nature through painting and drawing. Visitors were particularly interested in the stories behind the artwork and the creative processes that shape its development.
Elsewhere, photographer Julian Sahou reflected on the ability of art to prompt discussion around social and ethical questions, while textile artist Zaza Lewis described the warm reception she received during her first experience of participating in Open House.
The event also highlighted the important role played by hosts who generously open their homes to artists and visitors. Several participants commented on how displaying work within domestic environments changes the relationship between artwork and audience. Visitors are able to imagine how pieces might look within their own homes, while artists benefit from conversations that often feel more relaxed and personal than those found in formal gallery settings.
A recurring theme throughout the interviews was the importance of community participation. Open House succeeds because artists, volunteers, homeowners and visitors all contribute to creating a welcoming environment where creativity can flourish. The event encourages people to slow down, ask questions and engage directly with creative practice.
Soar Sound also spoke with Tracy Howard, who is developing a new creative space beneath one of the city’s historic railway arches. Her plans include workshops, exhibitions, music and opportunities for people to gather and explore creative activities in an accessible and supportive environment.
Together, these conversations reveal a vibrant creative ecology sustained by curiosity, generosity and participation. Open House demonstrates that arts activity is not confined to galleries and institutions. It exists wherever people are willing to share ideas, open doors and create opportunities for others to engage.
You can listen to the full Spotlight on Arts podcast featuring interviews recorded during Open House on the Soar Sound website.
Spotlight on Arts is part of Soar Sound’s ongoing commitment to supporting and celebrating arts, culture and creativity across the city and beyond.
