Creativity Shines at Solo Studios 2025

This year’s event, taking place from 24 to 26 October in the quaint Swartland towns of Riebeek-Kasteel and Riebeek West, offers myriad ways to paint your canvas with cultural, culinary and countryside beauty.

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With more than 60 artists, four galleries and numerous exhibitions, art is the beating heart of Solo Studios 2025. There are countless ways to experience it over the weekend – here are just a few highlights:

Pottering Around Town

From the elegant to the quirky, ceramics have a special place at Solo Studios – particularly this year, with an exhibition in the Village Square curated by Isabella Niehaus, a well-known Riebeek-Kasteel resident, chef, stylist and internationally renowned cookbook author.

The exhibition will showcase the work of 15 ceramicists, and a small studio staffed by Three Potters and a Painter will invite visitors to paint ceramic cups crafted by this renowned Stellenbosch family.

Al Fresco Sculpture

Beauty meets nature in an intimate Riebeek-Kasteel garden at Huis van RAAF, where gallerist and curator Ilse Schermer has selected 10 sculptures by 10 different sculptors. Schermer is the principal of IS Art Gallery in Stellenbosch, and the curator of the magnificent IS Sculpture Garden at Tokara, established a decade ago.

Talking Collecting

Solo Studios will host a special talk, The Art of Collecting, with Elmarie van Straten of Strauss & Co., offering insights into understanding value and significance, and into nurturing an art collection that reflects personal taste and cultural heritage. The talk takes place at EcoPlace on Saturday 25 October, and tickets are available on the Solo Studios website.

MAPSA on the Map

Direct from Richmond in the Northern Cape comes LANDscapes[s], an exhibition at Die Kunshuis featuring selected works from the private collection of Modern Art Projects South Africa (MAPSA).

Curated by Miné Kleynhans at the University of the Free State, it offers reflections on the imaginings that Richmond elicits: ruminations on the passage of time, excavations into our past, the meaning and consequences of our present endeavours, and that which will one day become relics for our future selves.

Art and Ardmore in EcoPlace

In a rare and personal glimpse into the life of a multi-talented and visionary artist, Louis Jansen van Vuuren will conduct two guided walks of his recently completed, sustainably built home and studio, EcoPlace, which will house works from five artists – including Louis Jansen van Vuuren, Ashley Ogilvy, Linda Weaver and Ruan Huiseman – alongside a special exhibition of Ardmore Ceramics from KwaZulu-Natal.

EcoPlace in Riebeek-Kasteel is a sustainable masterpiece: a cement-free luxury home built entirely from recycled plastic and fabric. The walks take place on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October, and offer an opportunity to learn more about the art on show and to experience an extraordinary home. Pre-booking is required.

The Long Tables Are Set

At this year’s Solo Studios, gastronomy meets fine art once again with the return of the Night of the Long Tables: a series of delicious long-table, multi-course dinners at several Valley locations that combine food, wine and community.

Hands-on Lino

Visual artist Theo Paul Vorster will lead two workshops covering the basic techniques of relief printing and providing insight into the creative process itself. Workshops take place on Saturday 25 October, 09h30–12h30 and 13h30–16h30. Sessions are limited to 12 participants, and advance booking is required.

Walking Talking Art

Nothing enhances the experience of viewing art more than a guided walkabout, where you can delve deeper into a work, an artist and even a creative movement. At this year’s Solo Studios, ticket holders can sign up for several guided walkabouts over the weekend, with knowledgeable guides who will take them through a range of studios for a curated experience.

For more information on this year’s event, visit solostudios.co.za.

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