The AVA is a non-profit, membership based art organisation whose aim is the advancement of visual art.
Featured work: Nina Turok Shapiro, Ancestral Thread, 2025
Winter Closure
AVA Gallery will be closed from 9 to 21 June for our annual admin break. We look forward to welcoming you back to the gallery on Thursday 26th of June for the opening of five new exhibitions.
A LONG AND REMARKABLE LEGACY
Dating back to 1850, the AVA is the oldest nonprofit gallery in Cape Town with the mission to advance contemporary art and artists.
The AVA is committed to being the most accessible professional gallery space for emerging and independent artists to exhibit and develop their work.
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
A LIVING ARCHIVE
Discover AVA’s digital archive. Five decades of our archives are available online, for public access and research.
Seeking to add to your collection?
Jeannette Unite, ANATOMY OF A MINE, 2024
Browse our general catalogue featuring a curated selection of available artworks from our past exhibitions, available to purchase. For sales inquiries, contact admin@ava.co.za
Swain Hoogervorst, Karoo Landscape 10, 2025 (detail)
Ulriche Jantjes, Watermill Reimagined, 2021 (detail)
PAST PROJECTS:
NEXXUS (2023)
Sonya Rademeyer, Franco Prinsloo, Caroline Sohie
iQhiya Panel at the AVA.
Uncovering a discourse centred on the voices of black women.
FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY ON INSTAGRAM
Supporting emerging and established artists of South Africa
From our annual open call, we curate up to 28 exhibitions per year at our gallery space at 35 Church Street. Principles of experimentation, collaboration and shared decision making are at the heart of the AVA.
A Beast with Two Backs
Group show | Curated by Grace Matetoa and Keely Shinners
Reflections of a Queen
Kganya Mogashoa
Tell me about a day you don’t remember
Group Show | Curated by Aaliya Dramat, Aiden Nel, Vida Madighi-Oghu and Erin Sweeney
Nana’s Kitchen
Aaron Philander