Museums and galleries

 

Polokwane Art Museum

The Polokwane Art Museum provides a compelling selection of paintings, ceramics, mixed media and sculptures by artists from Limpopo. Over 1000 works are housed in an indoor collection at the Danie Hough Cultural Centre located in the Library Gardens complex. The Museum features local art icons, such as the celebrated Jackson Hlungwani, Samson Mudzunga, Johannes Segogela, John Baloyi, Avhashoni Mainganye and Lucas Thobejane.

 

The art museum holds regular exhibitions. "Masculinity", an exhibition curated by Letsoalo and Thembinkosi Goniwe from the Wits School of Art, will be held in June 2010.

Danie Hough Cultural Centre, Library Gardens Complex, 70 Schoemann Street
Tel: +27 (0)15 290 2177
www.polokwane.info/art

The Industrial Art Park

The Polokwane Art museum curates 15 works of art produced from industrial material in an open air park. Sculptures are on permanent display. The museum was established in 1970 and is the only one of its kind in Africa.

N1 North to Makhado, corner of Landdros Mare and Potgieter Avenues
Tel: +27 (0)15 290 2177

Hugh Exton Photographic Museum

The Hugh Exton Photographic Museum exhibits 23 000 glass negatives portraying the first 5 years of the town’s history on celluloid. These were taken by photographer, Hugh Exton, between 1892 and 1945. The museum is housed in a Dutch Reformed church built in the 1890’s. Bookings are essential.

Polokwane Civic Centre, entrance off Landdros Mare Street parking lot
Tel: +27 (0)15 290 2186

Bakone Malapa Open Air Museum

 

The Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum provides insight into the traditional and modern-day culture and lifestyle of the Bakone people. It has thatched houses, grinding stones and calabashes that were used in the olden days. A tour guide is available and a special arrangement can be made to visit the museum on Sundays. The museum is excellent for family picnics and braais. Bookings are essential.

9km from the city on the R37 to Lebowakgomo
Tel: +27 (0)15 295 2432

Eloff Gallery

An unusual and eclectic mix of local rural crafts, bespoke furniture and the works of many South African artists are on display at Eloff Gallery. Unlike many modern art studios which are somewhat stark, this warm and inviting gallery, opened in 1989 by Barenda Eloff, offers unusual, original and works of real value.

74 Dorp Street, Polokwane
Tel: +27 (0)15 297 0911
E-mail: egart1@mweb.co.za