About us

Since its launch in September 2007 Open Magazine has become a well-respected, desirable online magazine reflecting the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of the arts and popular culture.
With fresh, snappy writing and comment from journalists, experts in their field, new writers and artists themselves Open reports on the arts with a fresh voice, drawing in a new readership that is curious, bright and savvy.
We've interviewed some of the best established talent including Madonna, David Cronenberg and Mike Figgis, but gives the same billing to emerging artists. This provides an eclectic mix of features and interviews that is always current, ahead-of-the –curve and democratic.

By mashing up the ‘high’ arts with popular culture Open is a unique presence, becoming an on-trend destination in itself that not only reflects the zeitgeist but predicts it.

We get behind-the-scenes, offer a new viewpoint, give you exclsuive interviews, honest reviews and save you having to wade through a sea of listings by, each week, hand-picking the best events.

And, just like the best things in life, it's free. Not only that, but many events we report on are also free. There are many more features and ideas to come. This is just the beginning.

Founder and Editor: Loma-Ann Marks
Loma was a Feature Writer at the Daily Star  Sunday and Daily Star; Lifestyle Editor at the  Daily Express and freelance writer on What's On, TNT and the Online Review. 

Visual Arts Editor and Trend-Spotter : Jo Gifford
Fenland originate Jo Gifford is a culture, trend and travel writer by day, designer and lecturer on other days. Writing for on and offline publications keeps her busy, as does running a small design company servicing lovely clients. Favourite things include, mojitos, organic veg and a shamefully large collection of shoes.








Non -Executive Director : Ken Trodd
 In 1968 Ken founded Kestrel Films with Tony Garnett and Ken Loach to make plays for LWT, one of the first of which was Dennis Potter's Moonlight on the Highway. He went on to produce much of Potter's subsequent work, including Brimstone and Treacle, Pennies from Heaven, Blue Remembered Hills, and The Singing Detective. Ken was also part of the BBC's groundbreaking Play for Today, including The Operation with George Lazenby and Maurice Roëves  (1973)  Shadows on Our Skin (1980) and both of Stephen Poliakoff's contributions, Caught on a Train (1980) and Soft Targets (1982).
Other work includes : Jim Allen's United Kingdom, The Aerodrome (1983), G.F.Newman's Billy (1979) and Here is the News (1989), Michael Thomas' adaptation of The McGuffin and - more recently - Simon Gray's Femme Fatale for BBC2's Screen Two.

James Pryor
James Pryor, with a suitably useful arts degree under his belt, ventured to London to seek his fortune.  Whilst a fortune escaped him, he had a few thoroughly enjoyable years in publishing, most recently as a literary agent for hhb agency ltd, before slipping off to Hertfordshire where he has a pig and a large number of books he never found time to read. He is now, according to the forms he fills in for the Department of Social Security, a free-lance writer.

A selection of James' features:
They Eat Horses, Don't They?
What's happening with food shows? If it's not Super-sized you must be Super-skinny
Venetian Masters, Under the Skin of the City of Love
Is writer and commentator Bidisha's new tome any good?

Ben Dowell
Ben Dowell is a 33 year old freelance journalist who started out as a news reporter on The Stage newspaper where he worked for five years and has gone on to write extensively on the arts, entertainment and media for a range of publications including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Evening Standard, the Sunday Mirror and most tabloids. As well as providing punditry for a number of media outlets he has also sat on judging panels for many awards including Bafta and the Royal Television Society.

Some of Ben's Musings and Features:
The Gossip: Edinburgh, Alan Parker and Marje Proops
The Gossip: Keira, Gordon and Newspaper Nudes
The Gossip: Saints, Sinners and Spooks
The Gossip: Sass, Sex and Steven Poliakoff
The Curious Case of the Minister and the ENO

Vera Brozzoni - Big Screen
Born and raised in Italy, Vera has been passionate about film and the arts from an early age. After completing a highly creative education and learning the secrets of Italian cuisine, she came to London looking for work in the film industry, adventure, fun. She found everything and more.

Some of Vera's features and reviews:
Mister Lonely
Review of the recent release starring Samantha Morton
There Will Be Blood
Review of the film that earned Daniel Day Lewis the Oscar
Exclusive: Taking the Mike
Interview with film-maker Mike Figgis
If Chins Could Kill
Interview with Evil Dead actor Bruce Campbell
Lisa B- Rabbit Addcit
Exclusive interview with actress Lisa B
Letter from Venice
Report back from Venice Film Festival 2007
Not Another Keira Knightley Piece
Profile on the rise of Keira


Katie Antoniou
Katie Antoniou is a narcoleptic writer. When she is not asleep, she works for the Arts Council and also writes about art, theatre, fashion and all the other important things in life.She has been published in The Guardian and has interned for the BBC, The London Paper and Marie Claire.When she was little she wanted to be a mermaid but then she discovered shoe-shopping.The only thing that keeps her awake at night is the paradox of time travel.

Some of Katie's Features:
The London Art Fair
A review of the first art fair of 2008
Sleeping and Dreaming
A review of the Wellcome Collection's exhibition, from her unique point of view

Belinda Wanis
Aussie born Belinda has worked across national newspapers and magazines including OK, Daily Star, London Lite, Now and Sunday Times Style specialising in lifestyle, travel, health, entertainment, showbiz/celebrities, television and, of course, the arts.
She started her career as an actress until her family pointed out that she should get a degree to fall back on in case things didn't work out.
Full time studying psychology didn't leave much time for the stage but her love for it remained.
She adores new places, exotic holidays, modernist architecture and design, pina coladas and getting caught in the rain - no wait, that's a song!

 

Julie Pallot
As a student I developed a sense of moral duty and decided to study History of art for the good of the nation. After graduating I worked for the Saatchi Gallery as a street promoter soaking in the spirit of the YBA's and harrassing people by the London Eye. I then worked for art magazine Gallery Guide Europe. Now a fully fledged art buff I am about to purchase my first pair of thickly rimmed black spectacles and move to Hoxton.

A Selection of Julie's Pieces
Glittering SuperstARTs
The Top Ten celebrity artists through history
From the Deep Waters of Sleep
Review of artist Eloise Fornieles
From Russia
Review of the Royal Academy's ground-breaking exhibition
Down the Market
How London's art scene is having a unique effect on the city's markets

Claire Storrow is still not sure what she wants to be when she grows up but she finds that writing fills the gap between finding out and knowing.  She describes herself as a gypsy, magpie and tinker and feels that the storyteller is a somewhat undervalued role in society, and indeed, that storytelling is a dying art.   She knows that she will write a novel one day but has not lived long enough to feel qualified to write a book.  Meantime, in the guise of her alter ego, Claire O, she creates jewellery inspired by Frida Kahlo and the Mexican Day of The Dead.  In her spare time she likes to keep an eye on weather patterns, bakes a cake every now and then, and enjoys schadenfreude.


Thank you to all our other freelancers and contributors. We are always happy to hear from writers and experts.