Two days in the city, 13 artist studios, 200 artists, plus hundreds of artworks on sale at Contra.Joburg – a whistle-stop tour of the City Centre meets art fair on Sat, May 25 and Sun, May 26. Book your tickets now.
One of Joburg's major art fairs for 2024 and the biggest open studios event in the country, we're looking forward to an art weekend out with this year's edition of Contra.Joburg. Over two days, art lovers and city fans get up close and personal with Joburg's art stars and emerging talents right where the magic happens. It's not every day that artists open their studios to the public, no less 200 of them at once.
Free shuttle transportation included in the ticket price makes navigating between studio spaces a breeze. And, at just R85 per daily ticket, you'd be hard-pressed to find more bang for your buck.
The 13 artist studios participating in this year's event are 11 Alexander, Bag Factory, Creative Uprising Hub, Grayscale, Play Braam, Rand Club, WLM, Asisebenze Art Atelier, August House, Ellis House, Living Artist Emporium, Oovookoo, and Victoria Yards.
Read more about this stellar line-up here.
While studio visits are the main attraction, there are a host of other happenings in and around the studios, including guided tours, fascinating talks and panel discussions, interactive workshops, and live demonstrations.
To navigate from studio to studio with these special events in mind, use our itinerary below. The programme is different for each day, combining free and paid programming between 10:00 and 17:30. Event times are subject to change, so please check the Contra.Joburg website for updates. But first, some need-to-knows for all Contra.Joburg attendees on both days.
A family-friendly fair
On both days of Contra.Joburg, select studios will offer free kids' play areas to keep your little ones happily entertained while you get your art fill. On Sat, May 25 Bag Factory has kid-friendly activities lined up, while on Sun, May 26 both Asisebenze Art Atelier, August House, and Victoria Yards cater to younger fair-goers.
Win great prizes
NANDO'S PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD
Choose your favourite artwork for the People’s Choice VUSA AWARD by Nando’s and win a prize. Take a photo or video and share it on Instagram or TikTok, along with the name of the artist. Tag @nandoscreativityofficial and @contra.joburg and use the hashtag #NandosVusaAwards. One winner will receive a prize valued at R4,000, which includes a R1,000 Nando’s voucher, an original Creative Block artwork, plus a Nando’s swag bag.
THE FAIR'S BEST-DRESSED
Whether contrasting or controversial, dress to the theme "contra" at this year's event and you could win. Take a selfie at Contra.Joburg and post it on Instagram, tagging @contra.joburg with the hashtag #ContraFashion. The winner will receive a R2,000 gift voucher from Sneaky Sundays to have their favourite pair of sneakers hand-painted by an artist.
Events on Sat, May 25
Saturday open studios: 11 Alexander, Bag Factory, Creative Uprising Hub, Grayscale, Play Braam, Rand Club, and WLM.Hop between Marshalltown, Braamfontein , and Fordsburg enjoying open studios, historical and street art tours, panel discussions, and art workshops as part of Contra.Joburg's line-up on Sat, May 25.
TOUR THE HISTORIC RAND CLUB
This members-only club was founded in 1887 and is a must-visit, with spectacular interiors that recall a bygone era. Meet in the foyer for a guided tour hosted by Rand Club general manager Phil Thurston .
When: 12:00 – 12:30, 13:00 – 13:30, 14:00 – 14:30, and 15:00 – 15:30
Where: 33 Loveday Street, Marshalltown
Cost: Free
While at Rand Club, don't leave without seeing Itumeleng 'Mamase' Koloko's solo show This is a Man's World, but it Wouldn't be Anything Without a Woman or a Girl . You can also join James Findlay as he shares amazing stories about the City Centre and the Rand Club since its founding. The bookshop is downstairs from the main entrance.
VINYL MUSICAL SELECTION SESSIONS AT WLM
Get into the groove with a series of vinyl DJ sets ranging from Afro-fusion, funk, and jazz, to alternative sounds.
When: 10:30 – 17:00
Where: 7 Loveday Street, Marshalltown
Cost: Free
GUIDED GRAFFITI TOURS AT GRAYSCALE
Meet outside Grayscale Gallery for one of four guided graffiti-spotting walks hosted by City Skate Tours .
When: 10:00 – 11:15, 12:00 – 13:15, 14:00 – 15:00, and 15:00 – 16:00
Where: 19 Henri Street, Braamfontein
Cost: R50 p.p. and free for under 16s, book here .
Also at Grayscale, there will be live graffiti demos all day , while multimedia artist Slegh aka Krinky Winky's solo Infekted by Dolphins is up for view.
ARTIST-LED WALKABOUT IN BRAAMFONTEIN
Johannesburg-based visual artist Hannelie Coetzee's relational practice regularly centres on public spaces, where her interventions range from ephemeral to permanent. Join her for a walk through her studio within the sculpture-filled Liberty Indwe Park and along the watershed. The meeting point is the Donald Gordon Lawn.
When: 10:00 – 11:00 and 16:00 – 17:00
Where: Indwe Park at 1 Ameshof Street – 2 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein
Cost: R120 p.p., book tickets here .
DEMOS AND DRINKS AT PLAY BRAAM
The heart of Braamfontein's most playful district, Play Braam , hosts the Imbali Visual Literacy Project for block and screen printing demonstrations . Plus, take the kids to print their own T-shirts.
When: 10:30 – 17:00
Where: 73 Juta Street, Braamfontein
Cost: Free
Round out the festivities with a two-for-one drinks special at
