Pretoria's Top Art Galleries to see

The Pretoria Art Museum focuses on collecting and displaying South African art and currently has over 3000 pieces on display. The collection houses art from such well-known artists as Pierneef, Frans Oerder, Anton van Wouw and Irma Stern, while the growing contemporary collection features works by Sam Sam Nhlengethwa, Walter Oltmann, Lucas Sithole and Judith Mason. The museum also hosts regular temporary exhibitions by both international and local artists, and guided tours of the collection can be arranged upon request.

One of South Africa’s foremost landscape artists, Chris Tugwell’s main gallery is conveniently located within the Brooklyn Mall shopping center. His work, mainly in oil, reflects the subtle, poetic moods of nature, rather than dramatic and highly colorful subjects. The gallery also showcases paintings, ceramics and limited edition bronzes and sculptures from some of South Africa’s most talented artists.

Tucked away in a suburban area that forms part of the Bronberg Nature Reserve, the Tina Skukan Gallery is an art and nature lover’s paradise. On old barn has been converted into a showroom for contemporary art and craft work ranging from mixed media, acrylics, drawings, oils, watercolors, enamels and pastels. The adjacent garden displays sculptures and there is also a tea garden providing refreshments.

An active community of artists and art lovers, the Association of Arts Pretoria exhibits classic and contemporary works in all genres, priding themselves in showcasing only the finest and most thought-provoking pieces. They also evaluate and restore artworks and host special events on a regular basis.

The Showroom wants to make good art available to everyone. There is always something new on display and every month new talent is featured. Some of the artists that have been showcased include Adele Potgieter, Amos Langdown and Tony de Freitas. Other services provided include framing, valuations and art installations.

Situated in the Old Merensky Library building on the University of Pretoria’s main campus in Hatfield, the Edoardo Villa Museum contains an incredible collection of sculptures by the Italian-South African artist Edoardo Villa. Inside the museum you will find smaller sculptures by the artist, while two distinctive, large, steel sculptures are displayed on the lawns outside.

Picasso‘s Art Gallery offers a variety of original artwork for sale and provides specialist advice regarding the investment value of the works. The gallery also assists with the display of purchased artworks to ensure that each piece is showcased to its optimal potential.

The Mapungubwe Collection consists of archaeological cultural objects and artifacts, some of which have been declared national heritage items. Housed within the beautiful Old Arts Building of the University of Pretoria, the collection includes hundreds of gold pieces found within a burial mound in Mapungubwe (Limpopo Province), the star attraction being an exquisite gold rhino statuette. Also on display within the building are Dutch ceramic vases, bowls and decorative tiles dating from the 18th century, historic Chinese ceramics and a few 19th-century Dutch oil paintings and furniture.

Encompassing three hectares (7.4 acres) next to the Bronkhorstspruit Dam (about 40 minutes east of Pretoria), the Anton Smit Sculpture Park is a unique outdoor exhibition housing an extensive collection of massive sculptures and installations by the artist. The park and its accompanying gallery attract art lovers and collectors from all over the world. Once you’ve explored the grounds, you can sit down for a drink at the onsite coffee shop.

The University of South Africa’s Space Art Gallery is home to a permanent collection as well as regular exhibitions of relevant contemporary local art that focus on diverse and relevant aspects of the arts. Research and education, including workshops, learning sessions and artist walkabouts, are part of the services provided to the community.

ArtBox gallery showcases the work of artists by combining contemporary and traditional art forms and juxtaposing the work of new artists with those of established ones. The works displayed are in various mediums, ranging from sculpture, paintings and drawings to ceramics, jewelry and leather-work. Complementing these displays are a range of services, such as professional picture framing, jewelry design and art classes, as well as an array of unique and special pieces available for sale.

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