Our Story

The Beginning

In 2016, we acquired our first space: a derelict brewery on the edge of Maboneng. The building had been empty for fifteen years, its walls marked by time and neglect. Where others saw ruin, we saw possibility.

That first exhibition featured seven local artists whose work addressed themes of urban renewal and memory. Visitors navigated exposed brick corridors, their footsteps echoing through spaces that once produced beer but now showcased paintings, sculptures, and multimedia installations. The response exceeded every expectation we held.

Word spread through art communities, social media channels, and personal recommendations. Within eighteen months, we had expanded to a second location: a former textile factory in Braamfontein. Each new space brought unique characteristics, different challenges, and fresh opportunities for artistic expression.

Our Philosophy

We reject the notion that art must exist behind sterile white walls, guarded by velvet ropes. The spaces we curate carry their own histories. Rust stains become part of the aesthetic. Loading bay doors open onto streets where vendors sell boerewors rolls and children play. Art and life intermingle because separation between them has always been artificial.

This philosophy extends to our pricing structure and artist support programmes. We maintain sliding scale fees based on an artist's career stage, ensuring emerging voices receive the same spatial opportunities as established names. Revenue from commercial exhibitions subsidises community outreach, school tours, and our artist residency initiative.

Impact and Growth

Numbers tell one version of our story. Over 340 exhibitions have occupied our venues. We have provided studio space, mentorship, and exhibition opportunities to 180 artists through our residency programme. Annual visitor numbers now exceed 45,000 across all locations.

Yet statistics miss the connections formed, the careers launched, the perspectives shifted. A teenager from Alexandra who attended a school tour returned five years later to exhibit her first solo show. A collector from Cape Town discovered three artists whose work now anchors their private collection. These individual narratives accumulate into something larger than any metric captures.