Part 2 of our Gallery roundup of the thriving Woodstock Art hub covers the galleries in and around Albert Rd as well as those slightly further afield. And as always, if we have missed anyone please let us know. You can read Part 1 here.

The WhatiftheWorld Gallery

Whatiftheworld is a platform for a new generation of emerging South African contemporary artists, and was selected in 2007 by Contemporary Magazine (London) as one of the ‘Top 50 Emerging Galleries from Around the World.’ With its emphasis on new talents, it is firmly dedicated to the future of SA art.

Details: 1 Argyle Street (Corner Argyle and Albert Road), Woodstock.

Opening Hours:  Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm.

Current Exhibition: Fold by Maja Marx (until 19th November)

Webpage: www.whatiftheworld.com

MUSEUM Photographic Art Gallery

MUSEUM is dedicated to the discovery, development and investment potential of contemporary South African fine art photography. Owned and curated by photographers Dylan Culhane and Greg Beadle, the gallery aims to unearth emerging talent, seeking out bold, original artists engaged in lens-based media. Situated in the newer Upper Eastside development.

Details: Upper Eastside, 31 Brickfield Rd, Salt River, Cape Town

OPENING HOURS  Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm.

Contact: [email protected]. [email protected] T +27 (21) 801 5064

Webpage: www.museum-gallery.co.za

A Word Of Art (in the Industrial Design Centre)

A WORD OF ART aims to create art projects and experiences rather than white-wall gallery shows, resulting in a mix of street art, graffiti art, underground art, popular art, modern art and contemporary art, also called “New brow”. The gallery is located in the Woodstock Industrial Centre which also hosts the Biblophilia bookshop,the Sixty Six coffee shop and the WIC and AWOA artist in residency apartment.

Details: 66-68 Albert RD, Woodstock Industrial Centre, Woodstock

Opening Hours:  Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm.

Contact: www.a-word-of-art.co.za

The Lovell Gallery

A gallery specializing in fresh, quality fine art by artists who are going places. Their aim is to make contemporary fine art available to collectors while it is still affordable. Also currently running the “One Day in Woodstock” 2011 photography competition which has been narrowed down to the top 20 works. Visit the gallery and vote before the 19^th November! Early birds get a free cappuccino when voting.

Details: 139 Albert Road, Woodstock, 7915

Opening Hours:  Tuesday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm.

Contact: [email protected], +27 21 820 5505

Webpage: http://www.lovellgallery.co.za/

GREATMORE STUDIOS

Affiliated to the Bag Factory in Johannesburg and the Gasworks in London, Greatmore Studios offer work places to local artists and temporary residencies to visiting artists. Exhibitions by residents are held on an irregular basis.

Details: 47-49 Greatmore Street, Woodstock

Contact: [email protected] + 27 21 447 9699      

Webpage: www.greatmoreart.org

There are always some great bargains to be found in Woodstock, if you know where to look! This is part 1 in a series where we share some of Woodstock’s best deals, please share your own finds in the comments!

Blank books

Blank Books was started by Stefan Blank when his book hoarding tendencies became too much for their Woodstock home, and his girlfriend gave him the age old ultimatum. Blank Books sells used and new books in fiction and non-fiction at very reasonable prices.

Here you can pick up last years’ best seller at a fraction of the price you pay at a new bookstore or satisfy your nerd tendencies with vintage and collectible books on far-ranging subjects. Since Stefan has a wide reading range, he is a great person to ask for recommendations too. You will find Blank Books in the Positive Imaging print gallery opposite the Biscuit Mill. Always open on Saturdays and spilling onto the sidewalk, you can access the book shop through the gallery on Mondays to Fridays as well.

Fish 4 Africa

Fish 4 Africa sells a great variety of fresh fish at really good prices. This place has been punted by quite a few foodies and chefs as one of Woodstocks’ best kept secrets. Here you can pick up Yellowtail for R39 per kilo in season, which is usually around Easter when all the locals make pickled fish. They also sell frozen mussels and prawns and the variety of fresh fish is the best in town. However, we mistakenly bought some fish (shortfin Mako) on the orange list here before, so remember to check first! Fish 4 Africa is on Victoria road, just round the corner from Roodebloem.

Kwaai Lappies

If a competition was held for the best store name in Woodstock, Kwaai Lappies would be a strong contender. As you can imagine they sell fabric, trim, thread, buttons and all kinds of rag-trade related oddities such as golden plastic belt buckles and elastic pre-printed with ‘Daniel Hechter’. But if you can find a use for it, there are bargains galore to be had. Currently all their fabric is only R5.95 per metre, the stock ranging from stuff only your granny would wear to some very decent curtaining and cottons. Find Kwaai Lappies on the corner of Victoria road and Ravenscraig.

In Part 1 of our gallery roundup, we look at the galleries on the Sir Lowry Strip. Next week’s installment will cover the galleries on Albert Rd as well as those further afield. If we have missed anyone please let us know and we’ll gladly add them. At last count there are 12 galleries in the art hub Woodstock!

The Stevenson Gallery

One of the established galleries that has contributed to the popularity of the Sir Lowry Rd area since its move in 2008. It is one of the must-see destinations and is known for its engagement with contemporary art practices in South Africa as well giving South African artists a wider platform throughout the world. The Stevenson connection can, like Saatchi, work magic for an artist’s career.

The details:

Website: www.stevenson.info

The Goodman Gallery

At the forefront of South African contemporary art as well as the greater African continent. It has William Kentridge, Kendell Geers and David Goldblatt on its books. It offers space, glorious space, for its artists but finding the gallery entrance on the 3rd floor can be an interesting challenge for first-time visitors.

The details:

Website: www.goodman-gallery.com

Blank Projects

The details:

Website: www.blankprojects.com

34 Fine Art

Relocating in January last year from 34 Long Street, this gallery has joined the trend to Woodstock and is happy to be here with the big names. Parking is easier, too.  Ask the Security to direct you if you have difficulty in spotting them on the 2nd floor.  Contemporary artists and works from the international arena, including China.

The details:

Website: http://34fineart.com/

The South African Print Gallery

The details:

Website: www.printgallery.co.za

Art South Africa

The physical presence of the Art South Africa publication. Apart from the publication, it sells mostly prints and art books and is well worth popping your head in.

The details:

Website: www.artsouthafrica.com

South

Dedicated to art from Kwazulu Natal. On the first floor of Fairweather House (while looking for the Goodman Gallery).

The details:

 We are often asked about the must-see destinations in Woodstock, so here is a Top 10 round-up of the ILW teams’ favourite Woodstock haunts. Of course this is by no means definitive, so let us know what yours are! In no particular order, here we go!:

Can't go wrong with breakfast at Superette!*

1. Breakfast: A good day starts with great coffee, and it’s unanimous that the best coffee is from Espresso Lab, also served at Superette. While you are there, the breakfasts are superb, but a firm favourite is the French toast with bacon and maple syryp! The Deli on the Sir Lowry strip also serves fantastic omelettes.

* image from their website.

Conrad Botes is currently on show at the Stevenson Gallery

2. Art Galleries: In the past few years many of Cape Town’s most established Art Galleries such as the Stevenson Gallery and the Goodmann Gallery  have moved to Woodstock, and many independent galleries have also popped up in the area. Most of these can be found on the Sir Lowry strip, and visiting the different exhibitions is a great way to spend a few hours in Woodstock. If you are shopping for emerging artists, then don’t miss the Lovell Gallery and the What if the World Gallery (run by the owners of the Neighbourgoods market and now in new premises), both of which are in Albert road and always have fresh and interesting new talent on show.

3. Architecture: Simply stroll around Woodstock! Almost anywhere in Woodstock you will find that much of the historic architecture is still intact. The buildings mostly date from the turn of the century, but there are some lovely art deco buildings (all over the place but Albert Rd in particular) as well. Some buildings have already been beautifully renovated, others are derelict jewels-in-the-rough waiting to be restored, but charming nevertheless with the patina of years.

4. Lunch: There are many great places to have lunch on weekdays in Woodstock. If you can find a spot, The Kitchen has outstanding sandwiches and salads, always served with verve. The Deli across the road also has delicious lunch specials. Another highlight are the hearty pies at The Artisan Baker, (I Iove the Beef and Burgundy pie so much I have never been able to order something else, but I hear the Chocolate Chilly is also delicious – CB) and the Torchbearer does traditional pub fare.

Bustling crowds at the Neighbourgoods market

5. Neighbourgoods market: If you are spending a weekend in Woodstock, then visiting the Neighbourgoods market at the Old Biscuit Mill is a must.  Browse the bustling food stalls for the perfect lunch or stock up for the week from a wide selection of mouth-watering products such as wood-fired breads, cheeses, organic and free-range produce, luxury beers and other fine foods. The real hot chocolate from the Chocolate Company is a profound hot and cold experience. In addition, the Biscuit Mill is littered with local designers, vintage & collectibles, live music and more.

6. Vintage and 2^nd hand Furniture shopping: Woodstock is a great place to find bargains for your home. If you are looking for renovated, mid-century style pieces then Vamp should be your first stop.  For authentic mid-century pieces in original condition, try Mid-Century Modern, just off the Salt River circle.

But if you are a treasure hunter who likes to find your own bargains, try The Woodstocker at the old Altona Hotel, for great restored and unrestored Cape furniture. Clustered around Van der Merwe’s Furnishers along Albert Rd is a strip of 2^nd hand furniture shops that are worth poking your nose into, and if you know your furniture, there is always the chance that you might pick up a real bargain, and have a great story to tell.

7. Best view in Woodstock: For the best view of the hood and Table Bay try the benches on the grassy knoll between Upper Roodebloem and De Waal. Booking not essential but can help.

left: The Bromwell ; right: The Cat's Meow

8. Fashion shopping: As with most things in Woodstock, you can now find everything from Designer gear to vintage to dirt cheap fashion and accessories in our ‘hood. Representing the top of the scale, The Bromwell sells incredible designer clothes at matching prices. The Cat’s Meow Vintage is a great place to pick up some nostalgic pieces, and on weekends, the Designer goods market at the Biscuit Mill next door has gorgeous handmade shoes and clothes by emerging designers. And then of course, if you walk the streets there are lots of shops selling cheap Chinese imported shoes and clothes – perfect for the occasional bargain.

 9. Supper: Recently featured in both the New York Times and Time magazine, everyone should visit The Test Kitchen at least once. Chef Luke Dale-Roberts uses the space for maximum innovation as a chef, as well as a ‘creative hub’ for a variety of different projects, including regular cooking demonstrations.

If you are looking for something more casual, then the Woodstock Lounge in Roodebloem serves great home made burgers and thin crust pizzas. Also on Roodebloem,Chandani’s  serves authentic Indian (and vegetarian) dishes at reasonable prices.

 10. Nightlife:

 Meet for food and music every second Sunday at Cold Turkey, hosted at aMadoda Braai restaurant from 1pm till late (in a cul de sac off Strand Street) for dubstep, UK funk, kwaito and hip-hop beats.  Hoodwinx  is more laid back and offers various events such as music, poetry readings and even art exhibitions. For the traditionalists Dom Pedros is a Woodstock institution, and at least it’s always open for a drink!

What do you think are Woodstock’s best kept secrects? We can’t wait to hear!