The city centre’s streets are brightened up this summer by playful Brighton-inspired illustrative banners, created by Brighton artist Rosie Apps with the support of local businesses, to signal the start of a celebratory season of creativity.
Rosie Apps’ fun and playful illustrations, which include seagulls, beach huts, the iconic Komedia legs and Brighton love hearts, as well as wording such as ‘Hello from Brighton’, ‘Feeling Fabulous’ and ‘Smile’ feature across the city centre; on Preston Street, Western Road and North Street. Rosie’s work was chosen following a call-out for local artists to submit work under the theme ‘Brighton Buzz’, earlier in the year.
“When I saw the call out for artist submissions, I knew I had to apply as it really is a dream commission, and when I was told I had been chosen as the artist for this year’s installation I was delighted,” Brighton artist Rosie Apps, whose work has previously been commissioned by brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Converse, says. “ I can’t wait to take my two little boys on a bus ride around the city so they can spot the banners from the top deck. Ultimately, I hope these designs bring as much joy to others as they gave me creating them.”
The artwork has been commissioned and organised by the 517 businesses who form Brilliant Brighton (also known as Brighton’s Business Improvement District), who each year aim to add extra colour to the city centre streets, from early May through to September, and supported by Gaydio. 
The banners are part of Brilliant Brighton’s dressing the city campaign, which aims to brighten up the city centre during the summer months for visitors, holidaymakers and residents alike to enjoy. The campaign also includes cheerful bunting displayed in North Laine and The Lanes and blooming floral hanging baskets.
“We love dressing the city in the summer, and feel Rosie’s joyful, cheerful and eye-catching artwork really encompasses the buzzy, vibrancy of the city centre ,” Brilliant Brighton’s Marketing and Events Manager Shelley Welti says. “We hope they make you smile, whether enjoying a Fringe or Festival event, or are out and about enjoying all Brilliant Brighton has to offer this summer!”
Alex Baker, Programmes Manager at Gaydio Brighton, who are supporting the campaign adds: “We’re really excited to be supporting Brilliant Brighton across the summer for another year! Brighton is a city that’s really important to Gaydio and to the LGBTQ+ community. Having broadcast in Brighton and Hove for over a decade, we know how important it is for us to be a part of the city that our audience love, so it’s great to be at the forefront of celebrations across the city this summer!”
See the Brilliant Brighton banners, designed by Rosie Apps on Western Road, North Street and Preston Street (and supported by Gaydio), as well as bunting in North Laine and The Lanes, and hanging baskets throughout the city centre, between May and September.
