By Patrick Barnham
The OpenStudios.Joburg festival returns this May, louder and prouder.
The 2023 edition of OpenStudios.Joburg will highlight art buildings, spaces or projects, across the historical CBD, where visitors will be invited to meet the artists, interact with the works, and enjoy a programme of exhibitions, walkabouts, performances and design.
The popular arts festival runs over two days, Saturday 27 May and Sunday 28 May, 2023 with selected studios being open on these two different days. The studios will be linked via a shuttle service that will allow visitors to safely explore the city.
The shuttles will move in a loop between the buildings, with transport available every 20 minutes until 16:00. Tickets went on sale from 20 March 2023 and can be purchased here: Saturday 27 May and Sunday 28 May for R55 each.
Nando’s now has joined OpenStudios.Joburg as a sponsor. The spicy chicken eater is passionate about nurturing and showcasing Southern African creativity.
The company loves sharing Mzansi’s art, design, and music talents with the world in a way that makes a positive, meaningful difference.
Kirsty Niehaus from Nando’s Creativity Portfolio said: “Our programmes have supported more than 350 artists on a regular basis and our art is displayed in 1200 restaurants in 24 countries.
“We have more than 21 000 artworks in our collection, making us the largest private collector of contemporary South African art in the world.
“We’re excited to be partnering with OpenStudios.Joburg this year because it resonates deeply with us as a brand.
“Our Nando’s head offices, known as Nando’s Central Kitchen, are in a historic part of Johannesburg that we have worked hard to showcase as a hub of creativity.
“This event not only gives visitors an opportunity to experience that creativity inherent in Joburg and in Nando’s for themselves, but to discover new art, artists and studios, and enjoy the work they are producing – all in the intimacy of the studio environment.”
This partnership will see a celebration of Nando’s Creative Exchange (NCX) artist alumni Sifiso Temba, and Creative Block artist Sello Letswalo, who are both in residency at the Spier Arts Trust studio space at Victoria Yards, will participate in OpenStudios.Joburg. by opening their studio, hosting event goers and will have Creative Block artworks for sale on Sunday 28 May.
Artist Mduduza Twala, who has more than 100 artworks in the Nando’s collection in Casa’s in South Africa and London, has been sponsored a three-month residency at August House, and an opportunity to show off his talent at OpenStudios.Joburg.
The company has also sponsored the NCX 2022 artists: Vilile Soha, Tanja Trustcott, Sifiso Temba and Simon Venter to Exhibit at RMB Latitudes at Shepstone Gardens, Johannesburg from the 26 – 28 May.
PROGRAMME DETAILS
Saturday 27 May from 10:30-16:00
Bag Factory Artists’ Studios
Transwerke Studios in the Constitution Hill Precinct
Play Braamfontein
Lilian Road Studios
The Rand Club & Bridge Books
RMB Latitudes Art Fair
Sunday 28 May from 10:30-16:00
August House
Asisebenze Art Atelier
Ellis House
Living Artist Emporium
Victoria Yards
RMB Latitudes Art Fair
