These inner-city studio spaces fuel Joburg dynamic art scene and this two-day event is your chance to put your finger firmly on the city's creative pulse, while getting the oportunity to buy work directly from artists.
This year OpenStudios.Joburg is sponsored by Quorum Holdings, the Department of Sports, Arts & Culture, Nandos, Divercity, Itoo Art Insurance and Business Arts South Africa. Johannesburg In Your Pocket is once again a media partner for this brilliant event which speaks to everything we think is important about this city – linking spaces, collaboration, supporting the creative economy, opening doors to access. creativity, and showcasing the city.
"We strongly believe in collaboration and celebrating those who are doing authentic, creative work in the Inner City." Sara Hallatt, director of the META foundation
An exciting partnership for OpenStudios.Joburg is also its association with RMB Latitudes, an art fair aimed at celebrating the creative spirit of Joburg’s art world, fostering new relationships in the art world, connecting artists and galleries to buyers and the public, and creating new opportunities for artists, curators and galleries both in South Africa and across the continent. You will be able to travel between the two events on Saturday and Sunday easily – ticket-holders to Open City and RMB Latitudes will have access to a free shuttle service.
OpenStudios.Joburg and RMB Latitudes both support a strong focus on access to markets for artists. From May 26 to 28, Artists and exhibitors from across Africa will transform Shepstone Gardens, a magnificent three-acre property nestled on Hope Road, Mountainview, into a curated celebration of art from the African continent.
OpenStudios.Joburg will take place over two days, Saturday May 27 and Sunday May 28, with different studios being open on these two different days. Please make sure that you book for the day/s you wish to attend – the bookings for the Saturday can be made here, and for Sunday, the link is here.
Saturday, May 27 from 10:30 to 16:00
BAG FACTORY in Newtown is one of Joburg's longest-running studios with 18 studio spaces occupied by a variety of emerging and established artists as well as visiting artists taking part in residency programmes.LILIAN ROAD STUDIOS in Fordsburg is in a vibrant multicultural and historically rich area and one of Joburg’s most interesting neighbourhoods. The iconic Lilian Road building was built in 1913. It has been an artists’ studio for many years. The approaches of the many artists who have worked here over the years have been interdisciplinary in nature and cross the boundaries of research, painting, sculpting and printmaking. Artists here
come from a variety of different cultural and international backgrounds, making Lilian Road Studios an intersectional space of creativity and knowledge.
PLAY BRAAMFONTEIN in Braamfontein is a niche property development company spearheading culturally-driven urban transformation in Johannesburg. Headed by Adam Levy, the company focuses on creating unique and aspirational environments, using commercial space to connect people, showcasing art and creative talent, and transforming spaces into key city attractions.
RAND CLUB AND BRIDGE BOOKS in the CBD
Bridge Books is a bookstore and literary organisation that celebrates African literature. Housed in the historic Rand Club building, Bridge Books is also the lead partner in the Literary District project, an umbrella for the 60+ formal and informal booksellers in the Joburg CBD. Bridge Books runs regular book events, weekly children's readings, and a small publishing programme. Its flagship-book festival is the Books and Balconies event in late October.
CREATIVE UPRISING HUB @TRANSWERKE in Braamfontein is a once-grand Art Deco building that used to be a maternity hospital and later nurses' accommodation. The building was long derelict but recently has been revived as part of the Creative Uprising movement at Constitution Hill and now the former apartments are being rented out as artist studios and workshop spaces.
Sunday, May 28 from 10:30 to 16:00
ASISEBENZE ART ATELIER in the CBD is a gallery space, artist studios and art dealership, in the heart of the inner city. Since 2021 AAA has holistically embraced its environment and the cosmopolitan identity it brings.
AUGUST HOUSE in the CBD is home to more than 50 artists and is one of the biggest artist studio collectives in the city. Make sure to head to the rooftop during your visit to enjoy great views of the city.
ELLIS HOUSE in the Ellis Park Precinct is the studio home of more than 20 small and large artist studios spread over several floors.
LIVING ARTIST EMPORIUM is based inside the old Ellis Park tennis club and showcases an eclectic selection of works by local artists.
VICTORIA YARDS in Lorentzville is home to the studios of a number of well-known artists, as well as art galleries and workshops, a bar, a coffee shop, and a great fish and chip takeaway.
TRANSPORT
Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, 2022
From 10:30 a shuttle service will operate from every venue. The shuttle service is designed as ahop-on-hop-off shuttle with two loops in a westerly direction, and an easterly direction, allowing visitors to seamlessly move from space to space. Shuttles depart every 20 minutes. The last shuttle will depart from its space at 16:00 and will complete one loop. After that, guests will need to make personal use of e-hailing services. On both days a shuttle will connect to the RMB Latitudes Art Fair at Shepstone Gardens. On Saturday, Transwerke will be the hub for transport to the Fair, and on Sunday, the shuttle will run from Living Artists Emporium.
PARKING
See all parking options available to visitors at https://www.openstudios.joburg/parking
SECURITY
Security will be on-site at all venues. Our aim is to make our visitors feel as comfortable as possible.
FOOD AND DRINKS
Food and beverages will be on sale, with different studios offering different options. Please be advised that no outside alcohol, beverages or food is permitted to be brought into the venues.
