For more than six decades, the Vuleka Art Competition has offered a first public platform to emerging artists, becoming one of South Africa’s longest-running and most respected open competitions. The 2026 finalists’ exhibition presents a selection of new work by artists from across the country, offering visitors an opportunity to encounter a broad range of contemporary practices in a single exhibition.

Established in 1963 by the Arts Association of Bellville, Vuleka takes its name from the isiXhosa word meaning “open”, reflecting its ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for artists who have not held a solo exhibition within the past three years. Over its history, the competition has helped launch the careers of artists including William Kentridge, Sue Williamson, Christo Coetzee, Pippa Skotnes and Andries Gouws.

This year’s exhibition follows a rigorous anonymous judging process in which paintings, sculpture, ceramics, photography, digital works, film and conceptual pieces are assessed on equal terms. For the 2026 edition, 127 artists submitted 216 original artworks, with a final selection now on view at art.b Gallery.

The exhibition opens on 1 August 2026, with an opening address at 11:00, and runs until 28 August 2026. Prize winners include the R50,000 Conrad Theys Prize, alongside second and third prizes of R10,000 and R5,000 respectively, funded entirely through competition entry fees.