A journey to the heart of African art & design

What’s happening on my home continent in terms of art, and the continued recognition of African resourcefulness, ingenuity and creativity, makes my heart soar. We are a continent of natural performers, show-offs, even; but creativity is holy to us, a God-given means to inspire, to expose, to comfort, to reveal, to entertain, to enrich. Growing up in Africa, I am acutely aware of the human need for tangible beauty be it in the form of contemporary design, traditional art, or most importantly, time in the wild. It’s these components that create sublime moments of wonder, awe and connection and are what we live for. As Marc Chagall once said, “Great art picks up where nature ends...”

It gives me great pride to see Cape Town claim its rightful place as the hub of cutting-edge art and design on the African continent. I am thrilled to introduce the opportunity to join us on an intimate experience of the Cape Town Art Fair to benefit The American Friends of Zeitz MOCAA. The trip takes place from February 19-25, 2025, and promises a unique combination of art, culture, passion and exceptional behind the scenes experiences, including gallery visits and viewings of private collections exclusive to ROAR AFRICA. You will also enjoy the best of both Cape Town and the Cape Winelands’ culture, cuisine and landscapes in one seamless journey, infused with sensitivity and thoughtfulness.

Our Cape Town Art Fair experience begins with the VIP opening party, an exquisite event that connects glittering personalities, artists and collectors. The week continues with an exclusive private preview of the Art Fair as well as visits to renowned contemporary art galleries including Stevenson Gallery, Goodman Gallery and Blank Projects with tours led by founders, directors and featured artists.

A private, curator-led tour of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) will deepen your understanding of modern African art. It is the first major institution dedicated exclusively to showing works by African artists and the myriad galleries, light and sheer space of the imaginatively-renovated grain silo inspire and astonish at every turn. At the much-awaited annual gala we will celebrate inside the architectural masterpiece and feel the heartbeat of the continent’s creativity.

To me, it is the people that make up the fabric of a place, and their stories and triumphs that inspire and inform. Our time in Cape Town brings us closer to some of Africa’s most celebrated artists, including Penny Siopsis and her work reflecting the beauty and complexity of South African culture, and Zizipho Poswa whose large-scale ceramic and bronze sculptures are bold invocations of African womanhood. In a ROAR AFRICA exclusive, you will also enjoy an extraordinarily special sound ceremony, led by artist Andile Dyalvane and rooted in Xhosa heritage. These intimate sessions are not just visits or dinners; they are a chance to connect with stories, emotions and the very essence of African identity through art.

A real highlight of the journey is a behind-the-scenes visit to Southern Guild, one of Africa’s leading contemporary art galleries and the first in South Africa to open a permanent gallery space in the U.S. Located on Western Avenue in a historic 1920s building in Melrose Hill, Los Angeles, the exhibits feature an expansive roster of artists from South Africa, Benin, Congo, Iran, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and beyond. In Cape Town, gallerist and owner Trevyn McGowan will guide us through collections by artists who, with their ancestral, environmental and spiritual connections, are ambassadors not only for African art but for the continent as a whole.

The backdrop to your journey is Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. From Table Mountain, the sentinel that stands guard over the city’s treasures, to the cerulean ocean, profound natural beauty is ever-present and the positive, powerful and healing energy cossets you tightly. Add to that the vibrant neighborhoods, world-class dining, endless opportunities for exploration and not to mention the endless summer sunshine with no humidity. Reinforced by the company of local residents and our expert guides, you will feel a deep sense of immersion and connection, something I can only explain as a feeling of “the soul’s geography.” And that kind of connection to a place is one that never leaves you, but whispers to the heart and echoes in the soul.

Join us in Cape Town and delve into a world of creativity, color and passion. The trip runs from February 19-25, 2025 and costs $16 200 per person sharing or $24 300 for solo travelers. To learn more or to reserve a place, kindly contact welcome@roarafrica.com or click here.