Art Galleries in Cape Town

An overview of the best art galleries in Cape Town and the Surrounds

Not only is Cape Town a cultural hub, but the city is buzzing with artistic activity. Cape Town’s exhibitions of contemporary and fine art as well as bespoke furniture showcase the best of established and new talents. So, where are the venues that have got art lovers talking?

Art galleries in Central Cape Town

Iziko South African National Gallery
It houses an outstanding collection of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art. The regular changes to the permanent collection enables the museum to have a full programme of temporary exhibitions of paintings, works on paper, photography, sculpture, beadwork, textiles and architecture.  Look out for ‘The Butcher Boys’, a sculpture by Jane Alexander.
Opening times: Tuesday - Sunday:  10am - 5pm.
Government Road | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 481 3970

The Cape Gallery
Situated in the heart of Cape Town, this gallery seeks to expose art that expresses a love of the African continent. The emergence of a vibrant street art scene has added an essentially African character to the work on display.
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 5pm, Saturday: 10am - 2pm.
60 Church Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 423 5309

Worldart
Specialising in the background mechanics of managing and marketing artists and their art, this gallery leaves artists free to exercise their creativity. They also specialise in media exposure, sourcing and selling art as well as shipping worldwide. Discover the Worldart Gallery. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 10am - 9pm, Saturday: 10am - 1pm.
54 Church Street | City Bowl | +27 (0)21 423 3075

Ava Gallery
The Association for Visual Arts – in partnership with Spier - is one of Cape Town’s oldest non-profit art galleries and promotes advancement of visual art and artists, with particular emphasis on the Western Cape.  Exhibitions change every four weeks and, as the gallery space is divided into sections, four exhibitions can be held simultaneously. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm, Saturday: 10am - 1pm.
35 Church Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 7436

Erdmann Contemporary
This gallery was launched to promote contemporary comic art and represent a select group of painters, sculptors and conceptual artists. It has also launched Collect Photography, which promotes affordable photography by local and international talents. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm, Saturday: 11am - 1pm.
63 Shortmarket Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 2762

iArt Gallery
This space has manifested itself as one of the leading contemporary South African art galleries, and was established with the intention of creating an institution that serves as both a visual and cultural indicator for collectors, as well as a forum for contemporary artists to exhibit their work. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm, Saturday: 10am - 2pm.
71 Loop Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 5150

Joao Ferreira Gallery
Established in 1998, this gallery is dedicated to the promotion of contemporary visual artists.  Their exhibitions showcase some of South Africa’s best visual artists.
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 8am – 4pm, Saturday: 10am – 2pm
80 Hout Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 423 2136     

G2 Art
Located in the heart of down town, G2 Art represents the cream of contemporary artists, with an exciting range of contemporary, local art. A range of ever popular old Cape Town prints and photographs are available to order, as well as frames. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm, Saturday: 10am - 2pm, by appointment.
61 Shortmarket Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 7169

Everard Read Gallery Cape Town
The interior of this gallery is designed to maximise the exposure of fine contemporary painting and sculpture, and takes particular pride in discovering and sustaining a growing stable of local artists. The gallery is also available as a venue for exclusive events and can accommodate 100 to 120 people standing or 80 seated.
Opening times:  Monday - Friday: 9am - 6pm, Saturday: 9am - 1pm, closed on Sunday and public holidays except by appointment.
3 Portswood Road | V&A Waterfront | +27 (0)21 418 4527

Art galleries in Atlantic Seaboard

Carmel Art
Dealers in fine art, Carmel Art are the exclusive distributors of Pieter van der Westhuizen etchings. They also stock a wide range of works by South African artists in a variety of mediums.
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 9am - 6pm, Saturday: 9am - 4pm, Sunday and public holidays: 10am - 2pm.
1st floor | Cape Quarter Square | 27 Somerset Road | Green Point | +27 (0)21 421 3333 

Art galleries in Woodstock & Observatory

The Lovell Art Gallery
The Lovell Gallery focuses on helping art lovers become collectors.  Specialising in fresh, quality, fine art by up and coming artists, this gallery makes contemporary fine art available to collectors while it is still affordable.   
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 10am - 6pm, Saturday: 10am - 2pm.
139 Albert Road | Woodstock | +27 (0)84 627 2951

34FineArt
Featuring fine art by leading South African artists, the walls exhibit an ever-changing parade of local works in various media. This is complemented by a selection of works by international artists.
Opening times: Tuesday - Friday: 10:30am – 4:30pm, Saturday: 10:30am – 1:30pm.
2nd Floor | The Hills Building | Buchanan Square | 160 Sir Lowry Road | Woodstock | +27 (0)21 461 1863

Stevenson Gallery
This is a contemporary art gallery, which focuses on giving South African artists access to the rest of the world and has regularly debuted the work of international artists in South Africa.
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 1pm. 
Buchanan Building | 160 Sir Lowry Road | Woodstock | +27 (0)21 462 1500

Blank Projects
This independent, artist-run exhibition space showcases new developments in contemporary South African art and is not afraid to be experimental. In partnership with Pro Helvetia, the gallery also hosts residencies for visiting Swiss artists.
Opening times: Tuesday - Friday: 10:30am - 4pm, Saturday: 10:30am - 1pm.
113 - 115 Sir Lowry Road | Woodstock | +27 (0)72 198 9221

The Goodman Gallery Cape Town
The Goodman Gallery encourages and promotes contemporary South African art, focusing on artists from South Africa, the greater African continent, and other countries that engage in a dialogue with the African context. The gallery has major spaces in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and has also opened Goodman Gallery Projects at Arts on Main in the Johannesburg CBD. 
Opening times: Tuesday - Friday: 9:30am – 5:30pm, Saturday: 10am - 4pm.
3rd Floor | Fairweather House | 176 Sir Lowry Road | Woodstock | +27 (0)21 462 7573

Whatiftheworld Gallery
This fast-rising young gallery has become a destination point for curators and collectors to experience innovative work. By giving voice to new talents, the gallery intends to grow public dialogue and critical debates within the contemporary art community. 
Opening times: Tuesday - Friday: 10am - 5pm, Saturday: 10am - 2pm, by appointment.
First floor | 208 Albert Road | Woodstock | +27 (0)21 448 1438 

Greatmore Studios
Greatmore Studios brings people from diverse cultural backgrounds together in a working environment. The residency program encourages new ideas, creativity and productivity, while the outreach program raises awareness of the visual arts in the wider community.  
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 8:30 - 5pm.
47-49 Greatmore Street | Woodstock | 021 447 9699

Art galleries in the Northern Suburbs

Rust-en-Vrede Art Gallery and Clay Museum
Built in 1840, Rust-en-Vrede is a national monument and is now home to a gallery, a clay museum and art studios. The three exhibition spaces are divided into a main gallery, referred to as Salon A and Salon B. Salon C is the entrance room and is used for small solo or group exhibitions. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm, Saturday: 9am - 1pm.
10 Wellington Road | Durbanville | +27 (0)21 976 4691

Art b
The Arts Association of Bellville is the Western Cape branch of the South African National Association of Visual Art. Innovative, community-orientated and supportive of emerging artists from all cultural backgrounds, Art b creates a platform and showcases visual art to raise public awareness of art. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 8am - 4pm, security will open up for visitors after 4pm.
The Library Centre | Carel van Aswegen Street | Bellville | +27 (0)21 918 2301

Absolut Art Gallery
Providing value for money, the Absolut Art Gallery offers an extensive range of original, unique and superior quality art by well-known and upcoming artists.  You’ll find impressionistic, expressionistic, abstract, contemporary and decorative art. 
Opening times: Monday - Saturday: 9am - 6pm, Sunday: 9am - 5pm.
Shop 43 | Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre | Carl Cronje Drive | Bellville | +27 (0)21 914 2846

Art galleries in the Southern Suburbs

The Barnard Gallery
Located in the heart of Newlands Village, this gallery aims to bring fine art to the southern suburbs of Cape Town. It showcases high end fine art from established local and international artists. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm.
55 Main Road | Newlands | +27 (0)21 671 1666

David Krut Projects Cape Town
Situated at the Montebello Design Centre in Newlands, David Krut Projects Cape Town is dedicated to promoting contemporary art in a dynamic and collaborative environment. The gallery showcases prints by leading and emerging South African artists and exhibits work in a variety of mediums. 
Opening times: Tuesday - Friday: 10am - 5pm, Saturday: 10am - 2pm.
Montebello Design Centre | 31 Newlands Avenue | Newlands | +27 (0)21 685 0676

Gill Allderman Gallery
Dedicated to promoting some of South Africa's valuable talent in an unpretentious, welcoming environment, visitors could see artists at work or stumble across a life drawing session while viewing artworks on exhibition.
Opening times: Tuesday - Friday: 10am - 2pm, view by appointment.
Concorde House | Corner of Main and Summerley Roads | Kenilworth | +27 (0)83 556 2540

Art galleries in the Cape Peninsula

Casa Labia Cultural Centre
The former residence of Count and Countess Natale Labie, this much-loved national monument is home to a contemporary South African art gallery, an uber-stylish Africanova boutique and a celebrated Italian café. 
Opening times: Tuesday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm.
192 Main Road | Muizenberg | +27 (0)21 788 6068

Rose Korber Art
In a unique gallery attached to Rose Korber’s home in Camps Bay, clients can view an extensive selection of quality paintings, mixed media works, limited-edition original prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics, Rorkesdrift tapestries and contemporary beadwork. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: by appointment only.
 48 Sedgemoor Road | Camps Bay | +27 (0)21 438 9152

Kalk Bay Modern
This enigmatic gallery houses an eclectic mix of South African, contemporary modern art, along with quality crafts from developing community groups. Kalk Bay Modern is also a window for local artists and crafters, and actively aims to promote South African designers and the use of recycled materials. 
Opening times: Monday - Sunday: 9:30am - 5pm.
1st floor | Olympia Buildings | 136 Main Road | Kalk Bay | +27 (0)21 788 6793

Cedar Tree Gallery
The gallery showcases private viewings of contemporary fine art. Also on display are modern gems and jewellery, precious metals and ingots as well as original African artwork and beadwork.   
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday:  Call to arrange viewing.
Rodwell House | Rodwell Road | St James | +27 (0)21 787 9880

MM Galleries
This venue showcases a wealth of talented artists whose works are affordable and of high quality; the art is available in a mix of mediums with options to suit all budgets. MM Galleries also offers an online viewing and shopping experience. 
Opening times: Tuesday - Friday: 9am – 4:30pm, Saturday: 10am - 2pm, last Sunday of the month: 10am - 2pm.
Shop 3 | 31 Palmer Road | Muizenberg | +27 (0)21 788 8370

Art galleries in Franschhoek

The Gallery
With exhibitions that change on a regular basis, Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate features all visual art forms, including painting, graphic arts, sculpture, ceramics, glass and jewellery. The gallery has an extended involvement in South African sculpture, with sculptures exhibited throughout its gardens.
Opening times: October - April: 10am - 6pm, May - September: 10am - 5pm.
Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate | Main Road | Franschhoek | 021 876 8600

Artefunto
Artefunto uses canvasses that are created from bamboo and uses the inlays of eggshell, mother of pearl, coins, paper and stone to create unique artworks.  Expect a range of plates, tiles, décor and furniture.  Artefunto galleries can be found in Clarens, Hazyview, Franschhoek and Knysna. 
Opening times: Monday - Sunday: 10am – 4:30pm
60 Huguenot Street | Franschhoek | +27 (0)21 876 2706

Ebony Design
A design space that showcases modern South African furniture, home accessories and a diverse collection of South African art. Curated by Marc Stones, Ebony’s art collection is comprised of classic and contemporary South African paintings and artworks.  Ebony Design can be found in Franschhoek and Cape Town. 
Opening times: Monday - Sunday: 10am - 5pm
Shop 4 | Franschhoek Square | 32 Hugenot Street | Franschhoek | +27 (0)21 876 4477

Bordeaux Street Gallery
The gallery stocks a wide range of exclusive bronzes and paintings by South African artists. Browse contemporary and abstract art as well as African hand-crafted goods. This unique art gallery is spread over two floors with separate craft and gift sections. 
Opening times: Monday - Saturday: 9:30am - 5pm, Sunday: 10am - 5pm.
42 Huguenot Road | Franschhoek | +27 (0)21 876 2165

Holden Manz Gallery
View South African contemporary art – from prints, oils, charcoals and drawings to lino cuts and sculptures by renowned artists like Christiaan Diedericks, Karin Miller, Stuart Redler and Marie Stander.
Opening times: Wednesday - Monday: 9am - 6pm.
30 Huguenot Street | Franschhoek | +27 (0)21 876 4402

Art galleries in Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch Art Gallery
This gallery offers an extensive selection of paintings, sculpture, handmade glass and ceramics by selected Western Cape artists for the discerning buyer.  The gallery also showcases South African old masters and contemporary artists.
Opening times:  Monday - Friday: 9am – 5:30pm, Saturday: 9am - 1pm.
34 Ryneveld Street | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 887 8343

The Hess Museum of Contemporary Art
Opened in 2006, this art museum houses one of the largest, privately-owned contemporary art collections in the world.  Permanently displaying works from the Hess Collection, the new facility also serves as a wine-tasting venue. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 8:30 - 5pm, Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm.
Glen Carlou Wine Estate | Simondium Road | Klapmuts | +27 (0)21 875 5528

Kanonkop Art Gallery
At Kanonkop Wine Estate they realised that both wine and art can be seen as investments in pleasure and so they created a gallery in one of their oak maturation cellars. This is a unique viewing space created by people that appreciate the enjoyment that art, and wine, can bring people.
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm, Saturday: 9am - 2pm.
Kanonkop Wine Estate | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 884 4656

Stellenbosch Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery (SMAC)
The gallery aims to provide a platform to continually present exhibitions that assist in the process of reviewing South African art, concentrating on the significance of historical and contemporary art movements in South Africa.  The gallery expanded by opening SMAC Space Stellenbosch and the SMAC Art Gallery Showroom in Cape Town. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm, Saturday: 9am – 3:30pm.
1st floor | De Wet Centre | Church Street | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 887 3607

Art galleries in Paarl

De Kraal Gallery
Set in a historic Victorian building against the picturesque backdrop of the Paarl Valley this gallery houses an exquisite collection of artwork. They also offer an assortment of gifts and functional art, a continuous changing display of ceramics and a professional framing service. 
Opening times: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm, Saturday: 9am - 1pm.
 123 Main Street | Paarl | +27 (0)21 863 2207

Hout Street Gallery
Established in 1975, this Georgian house contains four large exhibition rooms while the adjoining upmarket gift shop offers a wide range of gifts and crafts, ceramics, bronzes, hand-blown glass and also stocks a comprehensive range of Carrol Boyes functional art.
Opening times: Monday - Saturday: 8:30am – 5:30pm, Sunday: 10am - 5pm.
270 Main Street | Paarl | +27 (0)21 872 5030

If you’re after a bite to eat then why try one of the many restaurants that sell art in Cape Town.

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