About us

Loma-Ann Bonner
Was a staff journalist on various national newspapers , including the Daily Star and Daily Express and freelance writer on What's On, TNT and the Online Review.  Before that, a jobbing actress.
Now, editor-in-chief of this illustrious website.
The idea for it came about many moons ago and was originally meant for performers. But now, Open has mutated into something that's for anyone with an Open mind. As, to be truly cultured is to be Open to fresh things and take the time to find new ways of seeing. That can mean experiencing Shakespeare;  looking at Modern Dance or simply changing the channel on your TV.

Some of Loma's Features:
Exclusive:Azam
Interview with County Hall's Artist-in-Residence
Exclsuive: Stuart Semple
Interview with the artist
Exclusive: Julie Verhoeven
Interview with the artist and Mulberry collaborator
Exclsuive: Tuck In
Interview with artist Will Tuck
Exclusive: Meet Joe Guy
Interview with playwright Roy Williams
Helen Baxendale
Interview with the Cold Feet, Friends and Swimming with Sharks actress
Queen Vic to Henry V
Exclsuive interview with ex-EastEnders actor James Alexandrou
Taking the Michael
Exclusive interview with enfant terrible of dance, Michael Clark
An Art Deco Affair
Styling on all Open's Fashion

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!

 

Dave Ellwood
Dave can be credited with designing Open’s stunning interface. We wanted to make it look really glossy and stylish and he has definitely achieved that.
See more of his webites at www.pinkchimp.com

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


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