BRIGHTON BOX

ON THE BOX

The recently launched Brighton Box is supporting and showcasing LGBTQ+ artists and raising funds for the Sussex Beacon. We put some questions to the team behind the venture to find out more

The Brighton Box is an LGBTQ+-owned art gallery and gift shop which opened in Duke’s Lane just before the first lockdown. The brainchild of owner Sean Headley, with his long-time friend Craig Harwood taking care of the marketing side, the 25sq m store features some 300 artworks, with around 1,000 available online

The company has about 40 artists on its books, many of them from the LGBTQ+ community, and is currently raising funds for the Sussex Beacon, including through the sale of prints of seven Brighton drag artists by Jack Lynn. Each print is signed by the artist it depicts and £10 from each sale goes to the charity.

Drag artists feature heavily in the store’s promotions too, acting as hosts and monitoring gallery numbers between noon- 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. To date Candi Rell and Stephanie Von Clitz have been the most frequent resident hosts, also handing out leaflets to those interested in the currently Pride-themed window. Craig offers some further detail on how and why the venture got off the ground.

You described this businesses as being Sean’s childhood dream – why is that?

Sean has dedicated his working life to teaching undervalued students and helping them realise their full potential and achieving positive social changes through the education industry. Sean’s love for ensuring that students receive their rightfully earned recognition through the display of their artistic capabilities has contributed to filling the void in communities.

“We are in a prime position to help raise funds to allow the Sussex Beacon to continue with its fantastic and much appreciated work”

Initially, he was focused on performing arts, but deep down, Sean has always dreamed of owning an art gallery to provide yet another platform to share artistic experiences and the artists’ interpretations of life with others. The ultimate goal is to make artwork available to everyone at affordable prices and bring communities together using the interest and love of art.

Why did you decide to support the Sussex Beacon?

The Sussex Beacon has been and continues to be an incredibly valuable charity to our community and we feel that we are in a prime position to help raise funds to allow the Sussex Beacon to continue with its fantastic and much appreciated work. The Brighton Box is dedicated to raising as much as possible for the Sussex Beacon for the next three months, after which we will be raising money for Breast Cancer Research.

How did the Brighton Box start?

We launched our business at the worst possible time and have had to manage three separate lockdowns – but we’re now excited about finally being able to embrace our mission of showcasing local artists, designers and photographers. “The ultimate goal is to make artwork available to everyone at affordable prices and bring communities together using the interest and love of art”

Over 90% of our contributors are from the East Sussex area and many are working with us to help the Sussex Beacon.

Why is supporting artists from within the LGBTQ+ community so important to you?

Although not exclusively, nurturing and supporting artists from within the LGBTQ+ community is so important and is a mantra for our business model. Many local LGBTQ+ artists were keen to find an outlet from within which their work could be exhibited in an inclusive and safe environment, free from judgement. We at the Brighton Box have created such a space where this creative freedom has been nurtured and thrives.

What artists are you selling at the moment?

We have a number of exciting LGBTQ+ artists and contributors at the gallery currently. From the wonderful Jack Lynn’s LGBTQ+ Lives collection, showcasing local and national drag artists, and Johnny Meacher with his original papercuts (which must be seen to be fully appreciated), to Sid Spencer of Fat Pigeon Art with his PRIDE collection focused on pop icons. Our resident artist, Lorenza Gamberi, has fashioned several unique pieces to celebrate Pride Month.

What do you have planned for this summer?

We have a number of Pride events planned for the gallery over the summer, including an exciting new host over Pride weekend as well as drag hosts to welcome guests every weekend during July and August. We will be swapping out the installation art in the gallery in early August to enable us to showcase even more local artists and contributors. We have something to suit everyone and every purse, from the discerning local to the summer tourist wanting to take a little slice of Brighton home with them.

www.thebrightonbox.com www.sussexbeacon.org.uk