Where to Buy Art in Cape Town: Great Spots to Stop and Shop

With an art scene bursting with vibrant pieces and fun spaces, Cape Town is full of great destinations to buy art. From top of the range galleries, international art fairs, to markets promoting ‘local is lekker’: this city is a hot destination for prospective art buyers who are looking to build collections and support the arts.

Knowing where to look can feel like an intimidating task. It’s important to remember that Cape Town has a variety of buyer-friendly spots which cater towards a wide range of budgets. We’ve put together a list of some of the best places to start the search for the next great piece an art lover could buy.

The Best Spots to Buy Art in Cape Town

Christopher Moller Gallery

The Christopher Moller Art Gallery specialises in contemporary art, particularly from the African continent. The gallery is run by a team of curators and art collectors, who specialise in offering guests and clients with facilitated buying processes that connect the artist with the viewer.

The gallery showcases select South African masters including painters Aldo Balding, Sibusiso Duma, Jaco Roux, Nora Newton and Cecil Skotnes as well as sculptors Andre Stead and Barry Jackson, and hugely popular photographers Tony Gum and Tsoku Maela.

Moller also invests considerable time and skill in wooing artists from further afield, including the internationally renowned Ghanaian octogenarian Professor Ablade Glover, Ethiopian painter Nigatu Tsehay and, more recently, Nigerian artist Dennis Osadebe.

The Christopher Moller Art Gallery also hosts regular exhibitions, and participates in both local and international art fairs.

Where: Christopher Moller Gallery, 7 Kloofnek Road, Cape Town
When: Tues to Fri, 10am to 4pm | Mon & Sat, Viewings by appointment | Sun, Closed

Art Under The Bed

This is a unique, personalised buying experience that is artist-centred and run. Art Under The Bed is an ever-growing initiative that sees curated art for sale, available from the comfort of a home space.

This event is specifically targeted for art buyers: it aims to operate outside of the gallery space, which at times can feel a little bit intimidating. The result is a buying space with a more relaxed feel, and can focus purely on the creatives behind the works.

Potential buyers can expect a good variety of younger and less established artists selected alongside more known names, as this is also an important facet of Art Under The Bed’s philosophy.

This event takes place twice a year, with a winter and summer edition.

Cost: Entrance is free but spaces are limited and require booking

Where: Varying, but generally in a home in Oranjezicht, Cape Town
When: Summer and winter events | Check here for details on the next iteration of Art Under The Bed.

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

The Investec Cape Town Art Fair (ICTAF) is the largest art fair on the African continent. Here, there are hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the country and the world’s best art, with the vast majority of it for sale.

Whether visiting as a curious admirer who might like to spend the weekend cruising through the booths, or a serious art collector who is willing to make big purchases: the ICTAF offers an impressive selection of galleries, collectors, curators and artists for everybody. It is one of the most coveted art events in Cape Town’s calendar.

This is a great opportunity to scout out the local art market in an international exhibiting set-up. Additionally, there are many events and special projects occurring throughout the fair weekend, that add extra magic to this annual highlight.

Where: Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town
When: 21 to 23 Feb, 2025

Montebello Design Centre

Looking for a local-loving, nature-oriented art buying experience? The Montebello Design Centre is a gem tucked beneath towering trees in Newlands.

The centre houses over 20 studios and workshops, a greenhouse and nursery, a forge, and a restaurant and organic deli farm shop. The well-stocked Montebello Shop supports local craft with a special interest in products made from waste. Stock includes items made from glass, fabric, metal, paper and alien vegetation. This is particularly great for art gifts, as well as precious works for home or gallery spaces.

The space offers beautiful art objects to purchase, while supporting local artist communities and creatives. It also actively supports job creation projects, as well as cultural and sustainability initiatives.

Cost: Entrance is free

Where: Montebello Design Centre, 31 Newlands Avenue, Newlands, Cape Town
When: Trading hours Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm | Sat, 9am to 4pm | Sun, 9am to 3pm

First Thursdays Cape Town

With an impressive collection of participating commercial galleries across the city, Cape Town’s popular First Thursdays programme offers a vibrant opportunity to check out local creative talent (and potential investments).

First Thursdays takes place on the first Thursday of every month year round. It is a cultural experience centred around a walkable programme of art galleries, as well as retail stores, restaurants and bars. Cape Town is known for its diverse and vibrant artistic expressions, ranging from contemporary art to traditional African sculptures. During First Thursdays, participating galleries showcase an eclectic mix of art, providing visitors with an inspiring visual feast.

Balance an evening of art admiration alongside a visit to the many bars and restaurants buzzing during this time, while the locals spill out onto the streets, creating a truly electric vibe.

Visitors can start off in Long, Loop or Bree Street with a drink at any one of the popular bars, before browsing the galleries around the city centre – many of which provide visitors with refreshments – and finally settle in at one of the Mother City’s restaurants for a sumptuous meal.

Arts, culture, food and drink – a perfect night out, and a fun way to buy.

Cost: Participation is free | Varying costs dependent on individual events

Where: Various locations throughout Cape Town City Centre and De Waterkant | Check the map available on the site here for more details
When: The first Thurs evening of each month, 5pm until late

Rondebosch Potters’ Market

The Rondebosch Potters Market is a popular market held twice a year at Rondebosch Park. It generally takes place in Spring and Autumn.

This event has been running for over 45 years, and is a true celebration of the variety of ceramic artists making beautiful work locally. It is a great way to see a large selection of different pottery art for sale in one place.

Ceramics SA Western Cape runs the event, and gives its members the chance to leave their studios and sell their ceramics. Markets are also a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge and connect over a common passion for art-making with clay.

Stocked with delicious food and refreshments, the market is great fun to visit. Visitors can enjoy the wide range of ceramics that potters, ceramicists, sculptors, entrepreneurs and community project members are producing.

Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leashes.

Cost: Admission is free

Where: Rondebosch Park, Corner of Campground Road and Sandown Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town
When: Generally on a day in November and March annually, 8am to 3pm

AKJP Studio

This is a fun art-oriented buying experience that offers a variety of other goodies. Officially a fashion concept store, AKJP Studio is a trendy shop also housing a variety of ceramic art objects, jewellery, high fashion clothing, and publications.

The store prides itself as a multifaceted space for South African creatives, and recognises the need to nurture emerging and established names from Cape Town’s arts scene. There are also an exciting selection of art magazines, books, catalogues and zines on offer too.

Come for the art purchases, stay for the AKJP bar, which offers delicious coffees and treats in the day, and cool cocktails in the evenings. All are served on ceramic crockery made by artist Keith Henning.

Cost: Free entrance

Where: AKJP Studio, 73 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
When: Mon to Wed, 9am to 6pm | Thurs to Sat, 9am to 8pm