Housed in one of the country’s finest monuments, the National Gallery in Bulawayo is a unique facility, which holds invigorating and challenging exhibitions. The National Gallery in Bulawayo is composed of the many departments that include Curatorship, Exhibitions, Education, Outreach, Cinema, Technical Service and Administration. All these departments are involved in different activities to fulfil the gallery’s mission, motives and objectives.
The National Gallery in Bulawayo was founded by a group of Bulawayo artists in 1970. The artists’ aim was to create an impact on the development of the visual arts in Bulawayo. The gallery was situated in an old building that was once used as a vegetable market.
It then moved to its present site on 4th February 1994. This was after renovations to Douslin house which was named after the architect who designed it. Douslin House is a classical example of the Edwardian architecture was built in 1900. Prior to its occupation by the gallery; it served as offices of various organizations. It is one of the few such buildings in Bulawayo; which was declared a national monument. This makes the building befitting to be used as an art gallery.
Features
Coffee Shop
Set in the heart of The National Gallery Building in the hustling city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city, The Art Grove Coffee Shop provides the ideal ‘hideout’ from the chaos and associated stress that is having a huge impact on the lives of most Zimbabweans, regardless of colour, age or social standing.
Whether for an informal business meeting, a family outing or just a cup of tea and a ‘chat’ with some friends, this unassuming and quaint ‘meeting spot’ couples simple but tasty and often sought after food and beverage menu with an atmosphere created by artists who have ploughed their trade within the walls of this national monument that has become affectionately known as ‘the Gallery’
Their friendly and efficient waiters ensure that you are comfortable and well looked after, whilst the kitchen staff work hard to consistently provide meals that are guaranteed to make you feel like you’ll be back! Whether it’s the Home-made Lemonade or Cappuccino, hand made Ravioli or Lasagne. Even the good ole Barbeque Chicken and French Fries and the delicious waffles with home-made ice cream, the Art Grove Coffee Shop will more than satisfy your palate whilst at the same time providing exceptional value for your money.
So whether you are a visitor to the beautiful city of Bulawayo or simply one of the friendly resilient locals do yourself a favour and give this special place a visit. The Art Grove Coffee Shop staff looks forward to the privilege of sharing your company and allowing you to enjoy a little bit of their own special magic. See you soon!!
Sales Shop
The Sabona Sales Shop offers a range of unique African crafts from far afield as DRC and quality artefacts by local artists.
From decorated wooden pens, exquisite postcards skillfully created balancing birds, adorned Tonga Drums, to lovely Ndebele baskets.
Library
A unique information centre situated within the National Gallery in Bulawayo which is flourishing with a vast variety of reading material on art, making it the only special library of its kind in the region, offering art lovers a rare but worthwhile opportunity to explore, read, prosper and soar high into greater and unimaginable heights in their chosen profession or pass time.
Indeed reading tapers sharpens and challenges the mind to be even more and more creative, imaginative and artistic. If you thought you were a great artist, there is an even greater artist within you. Frequent the library, you will be surprised by the artist lying within you struggling and wriggling to be freed from within the confines of your body, for that fresh breath, air and exposure, wanting to be noticed, feeling all suppressed, shouting out loud, waiting anxiously for that first droplet of information to filter through.
Great opportunities for artists, funding for artists, the history of art, artists’ biographies through the ages, painting, photography, textile batik, tapestry, interior decorations, architecture, African art, books and periodicals, all at your disposal.
The Beit reference library strives to maintain the best possible information service to its client and hosts a lot of students, teachers from institutions around us as well as enthusiasts. The library is open from Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and 9am to 1pm on a Saturday to accommodate those that are committed during the week.
We look forward to your patronage in the library; we are committed to being the prime, essential and integral part of your life and culture in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Artists’ Studios
A walk across the courtyard leads to artists’ studios, walls, red-bricked, quite vintage and inviting.
The ground floor houses several studios and a spiral staircase lead to more studios upstairs where more resident artists also find their way into the studios through the outreach programme run by the Gallery, they mix and mingle. The programme favours exposure for the young and talented.
Patrons and art lovers have a rare opportunity of watching the artists bring out the inner child on the blank canvas. The artist can explain how each art piece came about. Interestingly each studio is filled with individual work, style and technique. One would most probably be smiling with satisfaction from studio to studio, it’s truly memorable.
By the way, there is a possibility of purchasing a piece from the artists at work. How wonderful!
Public Transit
A local Taxi will bring you to the gallery, most taxi drivers know us an art gallery opposite exchange of post office. But if you are within the city we are in the centre, a walking distance from all directions.
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- wednesdayDay Off
- Tuesday09:00 - 17:00
- Wednesday09:00 - 17:00
- Thursday09:00 - 17:00
- Friday09:00 - 17:00
- Saturday09:00 - 17:00
- Sunday09:00 - 17:00
- $$$$
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