Wanneer Idees Gestalte Kry | From Concept to Object
Each August, Welgemeend opens its historic homestead and gardens for a month-long programme of exhibitions, talks, music and art events. At the heart of Welgemeend Art Month 2026 is Wanneer Idees Gestalte Kry | From Concept to Object, a group exhibition exploring the journey from artistic idea to finished work.
Drawing on the Kilbourn Collection alongside selected private collections, the exhibition considers the creative decisions, materials and processes that shape a work of art. Rather than focusing on a single movement or period, it presents a broad survey of South African art, revealing the many ways artists transform concepts into objects.
A special section of the exhibition celebrates the centenary of Cecil Skotnes (1926–2009), one of the defining figures of modern South African art. Works by Skotnes provide an opportunity to reflect on his lasting influence as an artist, teacher and printmaker, while highlighting the role his work has played in shaping private collections, including the Kilbourn Collection.
Presented within one of Cape Town’s oldest historic homes, the exhibition offers a setting that encourages slower looking and conversation. Throughout the month, a programme of walkabouts, lectures, workshops, concerts and family activities extends the exhibition beyond the gallery walls, creating opportunities to engage with South African art from a variety of perspectives.
Now in its thirteenth year, Welgemeend Art Month continues to combine art, history and heritage while raising funds for the preservation of the Welgemeend homestead, its historic gardens and the Boerneef Art and Book Collections.
Programme Of Events
Welgemeend Fundraising Gala Dinner and Auction
Date: Tuesday, 4 August 2026
Time: 18:00–20:00
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
An evening of fine dining, South African art and heritage comes together at Welgemeend’s annual Fundraising Gala Dinner and Auction.
Guests will enjoy a seasonal menu prepared by Annalize Buchanan and Chef Ollie Swart, accompanied by wines from Delaire Graff Estate and Haute Cabrière. The evening concludes with a charity auction of specially selected artworks and collectables, with proceeds supporting the ongoing restoration of Welgemeend and the preservation of the Boerneef Art and Book Collections.
Set within one of Cape Town’s historic homesteads, the gala offers an opportunity to support an important cultural institution while spending an evening in the company of fellow art enthusiasts.
Tickets: R1,800 per person.
Fragments: An Art Class with Jo Voysey
Date: Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Time: 17:30–19:30
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Explore the creative possibilities of collage in Fragments, an evening art class led by Strauss & Co Art Education Specialist Jo Voysey.
Inspired by Surrealist approaches to image-making, participants will cut, rearrange and combine photographs, textures and found materials to create new visual narratives. The workshop encourages experimentation and chance, revealing how unexpected combinations can generate fresh ideas and perspectives.
No previous art experience is required, and all materials are provided.
Tickets: R300 per person.
Welgemeend Art Valuation Day
Date: Friday, 7 August 2026
Time: 10:00–12:00
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Curious about the value of an artwork you own? Welgemeend’s Art Valuation Day offers visitors the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Strauss & Co Art Specialists for complimentary valuations.
Appointments are available for up to five artworks per client. While valuations are free, an R80 exhibition entry fee applies.
Advance booking is essential through Strauss & Co.
Walkabout with Frank Kilbourn
Date: Saturday, 8 August 2026
Time: 12:00–14:00
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Join collector Frank Kilbourn for a guided walk through Welgemeend Art Month 2026 and the exhibition Wanneer Idees Gestalte Kry | From Concepts to Objects.
Drawing on decades of collecting, Kilbourn shares the stories behind selected works while offering insight into the artists, ideas and creative processes that shape the exhibition. Presented within Welgemeend’s historic setting, the walkabout offers an engaging introduction to one of Cape Town’s longest-running annual art events.
Tickets: R300 per person.
Hidden Stories: Amanda Botha on Maggie Laubser
Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Time: 17:30–19:30
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Journalist and author Amanda Botha explores an important chapter in the career of Maggie Laubser during this illustrated talk at Welgemeend.
The presentation focuses on Laubser’s relationship with German art dealer Dr Helmut Silberberg, whose influence helped shape the professional art market in South Africa. Alongside this story, Botha reflects on Laubser’s growing recognition during the 1940s and the role these experiences played in establishing her place within South African art history.
Welgemeend Art Valuation Day
Date: Friday, 14 August 2026
Time: 10:00–12:00
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
A second Art Valuation Day offers another opportunity to receive complimentary advice from Strauss & Co Art Specialists.
Visitors are invited to bring up to five artworks for individual consultations to learn more about their market value. An exhibition entry fee of R80 applies, while valuations remain free of charge.
Advance booking is recommended.
A Walk Through the 2026 Venice Biennale
Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026
Time: 10:00–12:00
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Following their visit to the 61st Venice Biennale, Lizelle Kilbourn and Bina Genovese share highlights from one of the world’s leading contemporary art exhibitions.
The conversation reflects on memorable exhibitions, the unique setting of Venice and the presence of contemporary African artists within the Biennale. Offering first-hand observations rather than a formal lecture, the event provides valuable context for anyone interested in international contemporary art.
Tickets: R300 per person.
Walkabout with Frank Kilbourn
Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026
Time: 12:00
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
A second guided walkabout with collector Frank Kilbourn offers another opportunity to explore Wanneer Idees Gestalte Kry | From Concepts to Objects.
Drawing on his experience as a collector, Kilbourn discusses selected works from the exhibition while sharing insights into the artists, ideas and collecting histories that shape the presentation.
Tickets: R300 per person.
Beyond the Surface: An Art Class with Jo Voysey
Date: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Time: 17:30–19:30
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Join Strauss & Co Art Education Specialist Jo Voysey for an evening workshop exploring collage as a creative process.
Working with photographs, found materials and layered compositions, participants will experiment with combining unrelated elements to create new narratives and visual connections. The class encourages curiosity and playful exploration, making it suitable for beginners as well as those with previous creative experience.
All materials are provided.
Tickets: R300 per person.
Welgemeend Family Day
Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026
Time: 09:30–11:00
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Families are invited to enjoy a morning of art and discovery at Welgemeend.
Led by Strauss & Co Art Specialists Jo Voysey and Kirstie Pietersen, the programme includes a creative children’s workshop and an interactive art treasure hunt designed to introduce younger visitors to the exhibition in an engaging and accessible way.
Tickets: R80 per child, including a snack and one complimentary adult admission per family.
Walkabout with Strauss & Co Senior Art Specialists
Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026
Time: 12:00
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Strauss & Co Senior Art Specialists Wilhelm van Rensburg and Elmarie van Straten lead a guided walk through Wanneer Idees Gestalte Kry | From Concepts to Objects.
The walkabout examines works from the Kilbourn Collection alongside selected loans, offering insight into the exhibition’s themes, artists and the relationships between concept, material and finished artwork.
Tickets: R300 per person.
Book Introduction: Elly Holm – Van Berlyn tot Hartbeespoort
Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026
Time: 17:30–19:30
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Professor Dieter Holm introduces his newly published book on the life and work of artist Elly Holm during an evening that combines biography, family history and South African art.
Drawing on the remarkable story of an artist whose life spanned Germany, South Africa and the Second World War, Holm reflects on creativity, resilience and the role art played within his family’s history. The presentation includes previously unseen works by Elly Holm, followed by a discussion with Truida Prekel on the ideas and values explored in the book. Members of the Holm family will also perform a programme of chamber music.
Tickets: R300 per person.
Armstrong Trio Concert
Date: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Time: 19:00–22:00
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Welgemeend’s concert series continues with a chamber music performance by the Armstrong Trio.
The programme features works by Schubert, Debussy and Mendelssohn, bringing together a range of duo and trio combinations that highlight the dialogue between piano, strings and woodwind. Presented within the intimate setting of the historic homestead, the evening offers an opportunity to experience Romantic chamber music in close proximity to both performers and audience.
From Breath to Form: Power Vinyasa
Date: Sunday, 30 August 2026
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Begin the day with a guided Power Vinyasa class led by Bina Genovese, surrounded by the artworks of Welgemeend Art Month.
Inspired by the exhibition theme From Concept to Object, the session explores the relationship between movement, breath and creative expression. Suitable for beginner to intermediate participants, the class takes place within the historic homestead and encourages a mindful connection between art and the body.
Participants should bring their own yoga mat.
Tickets: R100 per person.
Lunch Hour Classical Music Concert
Date: Sunday, 30 August 2026
Time: 12:00–14:00
Venue: Welgemeend, Gardens, Cape Town
Music and live art come together in this lunchtime performance featuring pianist Cèzarre Strydom, clarinettist Danré Strydom and artist Paula du Bois.
While the brother-and-sister duo performs a programme of classical music, Paula du Bois will create an ink drawing in response to the performance. The completed work will be auctioned at the end of the concert, making each event a unique collaboration between music and visual art.
Tickets: R300 per person.
