Each first Thursday of the month, art enthusiasts and curious locals gather to explore a diverse range of exhibitions, performances and events across the city.
As Cape Town comes alive with creativity, tonight’s First Thursdays offers a dynamic platform for artists, galleries and cultural spaces to showcase their talent and engage with the public.
Here’s what’s on this November:
Zeitz MOCAA
Head over to Zeitz MOCAA for an exclusive evening of art and culture. Experience half-priced admission from 6pm onwards, with tickets priced at just R125. This is your chance to explore remarkable exhibitions like ‘Seekers, Seers, Soothsayers’ and ‘Seismography of Struggle.’
Don’t miss the DJ set by Athi Maq in the Atrium from 6pm to 9pm. Enhance your visit by bringing headphones for free access to audio guides for the current exhibitions.
- Location: Silo District, V&A Waterfront
- Times: 6pm to 9pm
Southern Guild
Southern Guild is a gateway to the captivating world of contemporary collectible design in South Africa. Their mission is to commission, produce and exhibit remarkable works by the most talented artists in the country. Immerse yourself in the current exhibitions, where three exceptional artists showcase their unique creations.
Christine Jacobs presents ‘Enfold,’ featuring striking felt sculptures and charcoal drawings that explore the intricate connection between her family farm in the Free State and its inhabitants. Terence Maluleke’s ‘Grace in Grand Bassam’ is a vibrant series of paintings capturing the lively outdoor scenes he observed during his residency in Côte d’Ivoire.
Meanwhile, Nano Le Face’s ‘Honey, I’m Not Doing So Well’ presents an artistic commentary on contemporary youth culture through pencil and wax drawings, exploring themes of hedonism, social media obsession, melodrama and melancholy.
- Location: Silo District, V&A Waterfront
- Times: 6pm to 8pm
DAOR Contemporary
DAOR Contemporary, near the trendy Silo District and Zeitz MOCAA, is a testament to art’s transformative power. Housed in a lovingly restored industrial building, this gallery is a haven for contemporary African artists.
They specialise in showcasing South African and Pan African art, with a keen eye for both mid-career and emerging talents, spanning various artistic disciplines.
DAOR proudly features an impressive collection of print works from Warren Editions and Creative Blocks from the Spier Arts Trust. Don’t miss Jozelle McLea’s ‘Suspended Exposure,’ exploring light, beauty and colour through flowers.
- Location: Coode Crescent, Port of Cape Town, South Arm entrance, across from Silo District
- Times: 5pm to 8pm
- Website: daor.co.za
Cape Town Creative Academy
The Cape Town Creative Academy (CTCA) is a prestigious accredited institution dedicated to nurturing the talents of emerging artists and designers. Offering comprehensive multi-year degree programmes in art and design, as well as a range of engaging short courses, CTCA is at the forefront of creative education.
This November’s First Thursdays, CTCA invites you to their Bachelor’s Degree in Contemporary Art graduate studio located on the ground floor in Silo 2. Here, you can immerse yourself in the artistic process, witnessing students’ work-in-progress as they prepare for their graduate exhibition in early December.
- Location: Silo 2, Silo District, V&A Waterfront
- Times: 5pm to 9pm
- Website: creativeacademy.ac.za
THK Gallery
THK, a prominent player in the art world with locations in both Cape Town and Cologne, is dedicated to holding contemporary art conversations. Their mission is to present unique artistic perspectives and aesthetics that challenge established norms to a global audience.
Currently, THK is showcasing the thought-provoking group exhibition ‘Liminal States,’ featuring a collection of talented artists. The exhibition brings together the works of Leila Abrahams, David Brits, Driaan Claassen, Jan Ernst, Pardon Mapondera, Gaelen Pinnock, Amy Rusch and Abdus Salaam.
- Location: 52 Waterkant Street, Cape Town CBD
- Times: 6pm to 8pm
- Website: thkgallery.com
Union House
Spier Arts Trust, based at Union House, passionately recognises the cultural significance of art in fuelling South Africa’s creative economy. Their primary goal is to support emerging and established artists, enabling them to fully express their creativity with the potential to drive positive social transformation.
Currently, visitors to the Union Block gallery in Cape Town can experience the solo exhibition ‘A Sense of Place,’ by the accomplished artist Hanneke Benadé. Through her masterful pastel drawings, Benadé delves into the intricate connection between her subjects and the landscapes they inhabit.
- Location: Union House, 25 Commercial Street, East City (off Plein Street)
- Times: 5pm to 7pm
- Website: spierartstrust.co.za
The Pink Room at Gorgeous George
Gorgeous George hosts a range of exhibitions and music events for First Thursdays in its enchanting space known as The Pink Room on the first floor. Currently, visitors have the opportunity to experience the grand unveiling of the ‘African Robots Shapeshifting Chandelier.’
This masterpiece represents the convergence of human craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. It illuminates the space with a fusion of 3D printing, intricate coding and meticulous handwork.
- Location: 118 St George’s Mall (Between Church and Longmarket)
- Times: 5pm to 11pm
- Website: gorgeousgeorge.co.za
MOCHI MOCHI Japanese Café
Mochi Mochi, the café that infuses the whimsical charm of Japanese ‘kawaii’ culture with a South African twist into its sweet and savoury menu, is also a hub for artistic expression. Join them for a unique pop-up exhibition, ‘Paper Cuts,’ a celebration of the artistry of paper.
The display showcases the versatility of paper as the primary medium, featuring the works of talented artists like Esti Joorst, Louise Bally, Maia Levan and Me & Norman. These artists use various techniques, from paper cut-outs to collage and origami.
- Location: 71 Buitengracht Street
- Times: 6pm to 9pm
- Website: mochimochi.co.za
99 Loop Gallery
Contemporary art space 99 Loop Gallery is dedicated to showcasing the works of both established and emerging local talents. With a particular focus on painting, the gallery creates a platform where artists can explore intimate lived experiences within broader cultural and aesthetic contexts.
This November, 99 Loop invites you to experience the captivating solo exhibitions of two remarkable artists. In the main gallery downstairs, Alexis Schofield’s ‘Impressions 2023′ takes centre stage with figurative paintings that uniquely combine dark tones and expressive marks.
Upstairs, Carolina Salinas’ ‘Places, real or imagined’ offers a vivid portrayal of people and places, evoking warmth and serenity through bold and bright colours.
- Location: Cnr Loop and Church
- Times: 5pm to 8pm
- Website: 99loop.co.za
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Always Welcome
As the gifting season approaches, the Always Welcome Showroom in Cape Town is your haven for inspiration and thoughtful gifts. Always Welcome, a multi-brand cooperative retailer of premium Southern African furniture, homeware and artistic studios, welcomes you to their newly refurbished gift store on the ground floor of their Cape Town showroom.
Explore a curated selection of African homeware, design, decor and art, and discover unique treasures that make for perfect gifts. Whether you’re seeking a special present or just browsing for creative ideas, Always Welcome is the place to embrace the spirit of the season.
- Location: 108 Shortmarket Street
- Times: 5pm to 8pm
- Website: alwayswelcome.store
Rare Gallery
Rare Gallery, the unique collective that blends art, fashion and culture, invites you to experience an exciting fusion of creativity this First Thursday. Immerse yourself in the world of talented South African artist African Ginger as he unveils an immersive exhibition at Rare Gallery. Explore a full-room installation showcasing his distinctive artistry.
But that’s not all; this special evening also features a pop-up store from the streetwear brand Bahamas Collection, adding a trendy twist to the intersection of art and fashion.
- Location: 6 Watson Street
- Times: 5pm to 10pm
- Website: instagram.com/raregallery_
Check out the full list of what’s on here.
Also read:
From city to sea, the Cape Creative Collective brings First Thursdays south
Picture: First Thursdays