Solo Studios 2026 | Riebeek Valley
The annual art weekend offers visitors an opportunity to explore working studios, meet artists and spend time with their work, alongside a programme that extends well beyond the exhibitions themselves.
Following an opening event for Premier Weekend Pass holders on Thursday, 22 October, studios and galleries open from Friday through Sunday, with a varied programme of activities taking place throughout the weekend.
Friday’s events include readings from After the Sky, a collaborative project by Tamlin Blake and Kobus Moolman, and a talk by Julia Franco on the stories behind handmade objects, drawing on her travels through Brazil and encounters with local artisans. The evening also sees the opening of the Huis van RAAF Sculpture Garden, where visitors can meet the exhibiting artists, with a live performance by RAAF. Booking is essential for this event.
Saturday offers the fullest programme, with guided studio walkabouts, an architectural heritage tour led by Dr André van Graan and a walking performance by Karen Stander. Visitors can also take part in hands-on workshops, including drypoint etching with Judy Woodborne, upcycled printmaking using a pasta press with Clare Menck, and blue-and-white ceramic plate painting with Antoinette du Plessis.
For those interested in collecting, Strauss & Co hosts an afternoon valuation session, followed by a talk examining what gives art its value and some of the considerations involved in building a collection. The day’s programme concludes with an evening concert at Huis van RAAF.
Sunday provides another opportunity to visit the participating studios and galleries, with a further reading of After the Sky and an afternoon music event, The Art of Music, rounding off the weekend.
With studio visits at its centre, Solo Studios offers a chance to see work in the places where it is made, alongside the conversations, demonstrations and creative activities that give the weekend its character.
Festival Details
Event
Solo Studios 2026 | Riebeek Valley Art Festival
Festival Dates
23–25 October 2026
Official Opening
Thursday, 22 October, 17:30–19:00
Premier Weekend Pass holders only.
Location
Various studios, galleries and exhibition venues across Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West, Western Cape.
Festival Hub & Registration
The Hub
1 Royal Street
Riebeek Kasteel, 7307
Start here for ticket sales, registration, festival maps and visitor information.
Organiser Website
https://www.solostudios.co.za/
