The gallery itself is a work of art and worth a look alone. The work here is totally original and…read morecomplex, I don't think there is anything like this style of art anywhere else. It was a lucky find down a street I wouldn't normally use. I'm saving my pennies for the Butterfly one. This gallery is a little bit cool and the owner is quite quirky and good for a chat if you pop in. Its new and I hope it enjoys the success that it rightly deserves.

Chameleon Gallery is another small gallery in the South Lanes, although of a more poppy variety…read morethan most of the more peculiar galleries in the area. With a pop-art style, including some very nice word-art of icons like Bowie and Guevara, Chameleon will probably appeal more to the younger generation, although the prices are a bit expensive for that. Again, this gallery is a little stuck between its style and its target, a common issue with Brighton businesses. The pieces of art on display are all very modern and somehow youthful; a lot of the pieces on display are almost semi-graffitied in style, making them much more 'cool' than a lot of the stuff available in other Brighton outlets. There are some more traditional items on display too, such as landscapes and the like, but Chameleon doesn't go in for the smaller jewelry items and the like. The location is excellent, Chameleon being perched on the edge of the South Lanes, and the shop itself is pleasantly designed: long and thin, with plenty of room to view the art, although it could do with an upstairs area, or something similar: there's definitely some expansion required here, as the pieces are all a bit close together. If you're looking to buy some cooler art, Chameleon is a great place to start. There's so much art available in Brighton, I'd recommend some window shopping before purchasing, especially considering the prices at Chameleon are quite high. Still, if you see a piece you like, go for it!

Like Art At Five, Chameleon Gallery was established in 2003 and stocks a variety of work by local…read moreand national artists. Housed in a unique, two storey building in the Lanes, it's an intimate gallery with a good atmosphere and friendly staff. There's a variety of different styles threaded throughout the gallery but the main aesthetic seems to contemporary pop art. Endearingly, there's a couple of different canvases of Brighton alongside moody landscapes, portraits and depictions of iconic figures including Morrissey, Mick Jagger and the biggest chameleon of all, David Bowie. * Chameleon's website appears to be down at the moment but I'm assuming they probably take part in the Arts Council's Own Art scheme.

Art At Five is a contemporary gallery that has been exhibiting work by national and international…read moreartists since 2003. Whilst other local galleries showcase a mix of mediums including ceramics, sculptures and screenprints, AAF focuses solely on paintings. Exhibitions change regularly with recurring themes seeming to revolve around bold abstracts, unusual portraits, colourful landscapes, the sea and flowers. Having a strong bias towards pop art and street art, I have to admit the work isn't my cup of tea at all. If you dream of waking up staring at an oil painting of vibrant poppies however, it's worth checking the gallery out. Prices are moderate for original canvases and you can buy work in monthly installments through Art Council England's interest free loan scheme, Own Art.

I'm not a fan of modern art... I know it probably takes a lot of skill, and it can be beautiful,…read morebut its rarely worth £500 of gorgeousness. Art At Five takes a more subtle approach to the movement, and offers some very very gorgeous paintings which have a very tactile and layered appearance... Of course, they subsequently cost £hundreds of pounds. The warm, welcoming colours would work in many rooms, but I doubt that many of these rooms owners would feel inclined to put that amount of money down for them.... Still if you're in the market to spend £600 plus on a fancy looking image, then this may be the place you find what you've been looking for. And anyone who plays Portishead in store is okay in my books.

This is a truly wonderful and eclectic collection of art and artifacts from the the Polish owner…read moreMaggie's homeland. From Ceramics, Jewellery and Sculpture to Paintings, Posters and Glass ornaments, it'll give you a real insight into the minds of Polish artists. I really had no idea how inspiring Polish art is. Most pieces in here are contemporary, bursting with colour, often quirky yet somehow simplistic at the same time, appealing to a large audience (I'm especially taken with Dominika Ruta's paintings). The space itself is homely and welcoming yet lends itself well to the frequent exhibitions, which include local artists as well.

"I love art that provokes, opens my heart and makes me laugh!"…read more As mission statements go, I think Maggie de Stroumillo's is pretty close to perfect. The owner and curator of Blue Dog Gallery, she has created a lively gallery space that celebrates and platforms a compelling mix of Polish art. Set against striking white and bright blue walls, there's a strong mix of bright and playful paintings, ceramics and glassware. The work of established and emerging Polish designers, there's also some big sculptures and a wee bio for each designer. The things I left wanting to buy however, were the kitsch Mystic Pizza and Lolita film posters.

If like me you don't live in Brighton and only visit on the odd weekend for a stroll down the lanes…read moreand fish and chips on Brighton Pier, you'll never even notice Phoenix Art Gallery despite its imposing size - it's massive! Once inside you forget its ugly interior and the traffic outside. I came for the opening event and artist talk for an exhibition of digital art. There is a second exhibition of sound art teamed with ceramics in the other gallery space - both are part of Brighton Digital Festival and run until the end of September, not to be missed!

A gigantic building a small walk from the North Laines and Brighton City Centre, Phoenix is a large…read morearts organisation run by a co-operative. There's over a hundred affordable art studios and workspaces and a busy annual programme offering short courses in drawing, painting, fine art, print making, life-drawing, performance art, jewellery making and -don't laugh! - puppetry. Open to the public as well as resident artists and members, it also has a couple of gallery spaces which show contemporary art, multi-media and photo exhibitions. The priority seems to be local and national group shows but there's also regular installations by visiting artists from Europe and overseas. Sadly, the couple of times I've visited I thought the work was abysmal. I also went to an event they held on Saturday night as part of the White Night festival and wish I hadn't bothered. I was expecting to see great bands and some mind-blowing work and instead was met with hundreds of pissed students and locals talking loudly and drinking cans of lager infront of a tired performance poet and a bad improvisational jazz band. I have friends who claim to have seen great work here though so I'm hoping I will have better luck next time I visit!

Pre ordered and was told I was the first to do so so would have a very low number (under 5) of 50…read moreprints issued. Well they forgot my order or they lied. I had to email them to ask where the print was once it had been released. Then it of course arrived 2 days later so they clearly forgot my order which led to my having been sent number 42 of 50. Not one of the first as I was told when I pre ordered. They opened to the public and sold for a week before sending mine. Despite telling me I would have a very low number. It also has a mark on it which is not part of the design. This was a gift for my wife not just something to collect. They completely ignored my request and lied. Not sure how more incompetent they can be. I will never use this sham gallery again. You have ruined what was a 40th birthday present with your utter laziness and incompetence. I recommend Sara Pope use better galleries that don't lie to sell more works.

Desperately seeking the new print by Banksy? Or perhaps an…read moreold one by Peter Blake or Jamie Reid? One of the best commercial art galleries on the South East coast, artrepublic offer a vast selection of limited edition and open edition screen prints, giclee prints and posters. Alongside classic artists like Andy Warhol and Edward Hopper, they stock a huge range of local and international urban artists including D*Face, Shephard Fairey, Dan Baldwin, Imbue, Static and Bonnie and Clyde. For those with a limited budget, Artrepublic are part of the Own Art scheme which allows you to make monthly payments over an agreed period of time. They also have a great selection of frames and the staff are helpful, passionate and knowledgable. If you want a tip on which new artists to keep an eye on, speak to Lindsay, Lawrence or Vanessa. If you like what's on their walls, you should also check out their smaller, sister gallery - Ink-d on North Road - and their London gallery, Tom Tom in Soho.

The artwork in Bluedog Gallery was a mix of glass, ceramic design, painting and sculpture. Pieces…read moredone by several different artists were on display around the small gallery, with a brief bio of each designer posted near his or her work. While some art galleries are intimidating, I found this one quite comfortable to look around in, as I was greeted warmly upon entering and then left to peruse at my leisure. Some of the glass designs were wall hangings, others were smaller figurines or pieces of jewellery. Several large sculptures set along the floor - one of my favourites was a large sculpture of a woman's head done by Warlikowska. According to Bluedog's website, their exhibits focus mainly on contemporary Polish Artwork. More information on the artists can be found there.

When it comes to art, I always am drawn to something a little different, without being too…read morealternative. I would describe the art and the goals of Bluedog as contemporary and clean, whilst also being that little bit different. They were exhibiting a nice range of mediums and I was particularly impressed by the ceramic and jewelry collections on my visit. A lot of the work would make a great present for a significant other, but the price tags would mean that you wouldn't be buying for a random acquaintance. Whilst not everything I saw at the time was Polish related, I chatted briefly to the owner, who told me that she tried to showcase Polish inspired and produced work (she grew up there). The gallery is not that large, but you don't feel pressured to buy or be knowledgeable while you are there. It suits Brighton down o the ground and I would highly recommend it, should you wish to add a focal point to a room that is guaranteed to draw positive comment.

One of Brighton's best kept secrets is the Grey Area gallery…read more Housed in a basement on Queens Road, it's a truly independent gallery run by artists for artists and art lovers. Four years old this month, it usually shows 10-12 different exhibitions each year with a focus on established or emerging underground artists. Hilights so far have included Bob & Roberta Smith, Martha Rosler, Milly Thompson, Hannah Rae Alton and David Blandy. There's no mailing list sadly but you can find out what's on by following their blog or website. As well as regular shows, they have occasional artists' talks, spoken word events and art happenings. With astronomical rents in Brighton, it's amazing that Grey Area manages to keep going. Treasure it!

'Grey Area is an independent artist-run gallery in the centre of Brighton. Established in a…read moredilapidated basement in March 2006, Grey Area has become a platform for experimental contemporary art events in an idiosyncratic non-sterile project space.' - http://thegrey-area.blogspot.com/ This gallery is situated underground in a basement in Brighton. They run a series of contemporary art shows from the seemingly obscure to the topical. Check out the blog link for up and coming shows, they always seem to be doing something startling and interesting even if its an outside event that see them emerging from the basement into the likes of Fabrica.

Before I stayed here, I visited the restaurant on my last visit and had a great meal. I was really…read moreexcited to check out the hotel portion of the property. Sadly, I was disappointed. They have a very strict policy on check-in times, and I got in from the US rather early and had to pass the time in the lobby, jetlagged, when all I wanted was to spend some time alone or at least freshen up. The staff were accommodating enough, but in the end, I kind of felt bad asking for what I needed. One good thing about being imprisoned in the lobby was that the food is excellent and the coffee is decent. I spent two nights here, and there was a balance of good and bad. I had a sea view room (comes with a decent view of the sea -- and complimentary loud squawks from heaps of seagulls that echo along the square). The bathroom wasn't totally clean and the tea set was dirty but the bed was comfy and they actually had good complimentary tea. There wasn't a good place to work in the room, but there was ample space in the hotel's common area to work unless you had to be on calls. I definitely struggled with my options to work properly without straining. If you're just going to Brighton for hangs, this place will do you well. If you need to work or need considerations like early check-in, you're better off staying at a more standard hotel.

If you fancy staying somewhere a little different, the Artist Residence is an interesting Regency…read moretown house with guest rooms designed by local and national street and graffiti artists. There's fun rooms painted and tagged by Pinky, Hutch, Limbo and SNUB23 as well as more traditional arty rooms adorned with work by Bella Clarke and Alice Thompson. All the rooms have a wardrobe, bed, TV and shower but I must admit, some of them look more shabby than shabby-chic and could do with a quick dust and hoover! There's also a breakfast room and bar downstairs - which doubles as an ad-hoc art gallery showing different artists each month. The hotel was started by a 20 year old entrepeneur apparently - which might explain why although the staff are all young and friendly, it's often hard to work out who runs the place. Rates are £60-£90 in the week and £90-£140 at weekends.

I'll always have a soft spot for Naked Eye…read more It was the first gallery I went to in Brighton and the first place I saw Dan Baldwin's work. He had a show there a few years ago and I remember walking past and being blown away by this big canvas with skulls, butterflies and stars painted against on silver. I still don't own an original but I own several of his limited edition prints now and it's thanks to this lovely, little gallery. A tiny space nestled inbetween coffee shops and clothes boutiques in Hove, it sells original oil and acrylic paintings, limited edition giclee and screenprints, ceramics, sculptures, etchings and mixed media pieces. Prices range from around £100 to £5,000 depending on the artist. Artists that show there regularly include Dion Salvador Lloyd, Ian Hodgson and Ben Allen but there's a constant stream of new work so it's worth popping in every few weeks. The owner is friendly and they offer bespoke framing if there's something you like.

Naked Eye is quite small, which always makes art galleries a bit more intimidating (as you can…read moreeasily be observed in your observation of the artwork) but this one didn't have a stiff, formal atmosphere, and I felt quite comfortable walking around. Most artwork was hanging on the walls - paintings on canvas and framed - in various styles: landscapes, portraits and a few cartoony images. Unframed prints were also available for perusal, for slightly cheaper. Prices ranged from about £50 to £1300 for the largest pieces on canvas. There were a few sculptures, including a large, intriguing one right in the window, and also a rack of greeting cards. Some were printed with paintings, others were just random funniness. A nice gallery if you're looking for some local culture to decorate your home.