The Prince of Whales is in residence at ABtS.

Beach Daze

It's that time of the year again, when Brighton Beach is at its best. The attractions are at full tilt, the open-air bars and restaurants at maximum curb-appeal and there's loads to see and do.

But it's not all fair rides and sundowners. There's also a seriously good selection of boutique shops and galleries located down at beach level - including us!

So, whatever your reason for visiting the beach, we invite you to beat a retreat to our cool and cavernous shop and gallery, where a world of contemporary art and craft awaits you.

Of course, many of our artists draw their inspiration from our iconic coast, and you'll find many beach scenes and Sussex landscapes in store, created both by our open call guest artists, and in our more permanent collection. Come and spend the dog days of summer with us.

Beachcombers by Katy Aziz (above) features in our OPEN at Atelier exhibition.

A Trip to the Seaside by Janet Brooke (below) is one of a selection of Janet's prints always available at ABtS.

The People's Vote: Who's your favourite?

Don't forget to vote for your favourite piece while you are visiting the OPEN at Atelier. With 280 pieces by 180 artists on show, you've got your work cut out deciding!

You can browse the whole show online, but we can only accept votes in person, so come on down to the gallery and have a good long browse.

The winner of last year's People's Vote was the ever-popular Serena Sussex for her painting Devil's Dyke (below).

Congratulations, Serena!

Artists in residence

While our OPEN at Atelier fills most of the gallery walls for July and August, our shop remains stocked with an exciting selection of work by our resident artists.

We are proud to work with around 150 of the UK's finest artists and makers here at ABtS, many of whom we have been representing for many years.

Come see our extensive collections of studio pottery, contemporary jewellery, homewares, textiles, artisan chocolate and so much more. Add to your own collection, or shop for unique gifts for friends and family. You'll be supporting a wide-reaching ecosystem of artisans and small businesses with every purchase.

If you see something online that is not currently on display in the shop, please let us know. We are always very happy to bring a piece out to alllow you a closer look.

Skatepark, Barcelona. Acrylic painting by Hannah Forward (above)

Bowl with Three Fish by Jonathan Chiswell-Jones (below)

Potted Cactus Earrings by Phoebe Jewellery (bottom)

Shore draw

September can be the most beautiful month on the beach, with summer-warmed waters, golden days and dramatic sunsets.

We are looking forward to welcoming Katie Sollohub back to ABtS for an early autumn installment of Sketchbooks by the Sea on12th and 13th of September.

Katie has a wealth of experience leading contemplative creative workshops. She will encourage you to look at the world intensely, notice everything, make connections, and find narratives.

Spend two days with Katie, working between the beach and our fishing-arch-classroom, filling a sketchbook with sea-water washes and salt-air inspired drawings. You'll use ink, pastels, mixed media and collage. Sketchbooks and general drawing equipment are provided, but please bring anything else you'd like to use.

Book your place now! Come with a friend and save 10% on your second place.

A whale of a show!

We are loving these paintings by Steve Camps that feature in our summer OPEN.

Born in Cornwall in 1957, Steve has worked as a builder for most of his life, and has always had a passion for collecting antique artworks and frames.

In 2023, he turned his own hand to painting and his naive-style quickly gained him a cult following. Steve paints a range of subjects, mostly inspired by the Cornish coast, but he returns time and again to these giant ocean creatures, earning him the title 'The Prince of Whales'.

We have three pieces by Steve in the OPEN - large and small! Come and see.

Waxed emulsion on board Size: 48.5 x 38.5 cm (above), Waxed emulsion on board. 10.7 x 9.9 cm (below)

The gallery is open 11am-5pm, seven days a week.

There's plenty to discover that you wont find on our website, including this exquisite brooch by Rachel Larkins.

Hidden treasures, galore!

Email us if you'd like to know about a particular piece.