On the first Thursday of every month, Cape Town comes alive with a vibrant celebration of art. Art galleries stay open late, live music performances fill the streets, and fantastic restaurant specials abound. Unfortunately, with the entire country under quarantine lockdown, the beloved First Thursdays event has been postponed.

But don’t worry—there are still amazing ways to experience South Africa’s art scene from the comfort of your home. Thanks to a range of virtual art tours, you can explore the country’s incredible artwork with just a phone or laptop and an internet connection. Enjoy the creativity and culture of Cape Town’s art scene safely and conveniently from your living room.

 See the magnificent murals of Salt River

Baz Art, an NGO dedicated to promoting art, hosts an annual festival that transforms the streets of Salt River into a vibrant canvas. During this festival, muralists from Cape Town and around the world come together to create bold, inspiring, and creative murals. This year’s International Public Art Festival (IPAF) centered on the theme of the digital age.

I had the pleasure of attending the IPAF, where I enjoyed free walking tours of the murals, which were both fun and informative. I also had the chance to meet several of the talented mural artists in person.

Although the festival has concluded, you can still experience the murals through a virtual tour. The 8-minute YouTube video offers a brief but captivating glimpse into the artwork I had the privilege of seeing.

Check out the virtual tour here: IPAF Virtual Tour

Boschendal and Norval Art Gallery Virtual Tour

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Boschendal Norval Collaboration, a groundbreaking project that merges the finest of African and South African art with the stunning backdrop of the Winelands. This exciting initiative promises to showcase a unique fusion of creativity and culture, celebrating the rich artistic heritage of the region while enhancing the Boschendal experience. Stay tuned for a preview of this captivating blend of art and wine. You can find the tour here: Boschendal and Norval Art Gallery Virtual Tour

Standard Bank’s Gallery

he Standard Bank Gallery exhibition has ended, but the good news is that it’s now available online! I absolutely loved this virtual tour because it offers incredibly close-up views of the artwork—something you could never achieve in person. This interactive tour feels like you’re strolling through the exhibition space yourself, and I found it much easier to navigate than the Norval Foundation’s virtual tour.

Check out the Standard Bank Gallery’s online exhibition here: Standard Bank Gallery Virtual Tour

Johannesburg Art Gallery

Google has teamed up with the Johannesburg Art Gallery to showcase its exhibitions online. You can explore the gallery’s diverse collections by scrolling through their digital displays. The online tour has sparked my curiosity, and I’m eager to visit the gallery in person as soon as it’s safe and responsible to do so.

Experience the Johannesburg Art Gallery’s collection here: Johannesburg Art Gallery Virtual Tour

First Thursdays

First Thursdays has introduced a virtual gallery showcasing artwork from some of the galleries usually featured in their monthly art event. While the virtual tour isn’t interactive, it allows you to admire the art pieces up close without the typical crowds that accompany First Thursdays. To access the tour, you’ll need to sign up for Artsy—quick and free. Artsy also offers the option to purchase artworks, so if you’re in a position to buy and willing to wait until after South Africa’s lockdown, you might own a piece of art. Even if you’re just browsing (like me!), it’s a fantastic way to enjoy beautiful art from home.

Explore the First Thursdays gallery here: First Thursdays Virtual Gallery Access the Artsy tour via this link: Artsy Virtual Gallery

Bonus: Share Your Art You can upload your own artwork using the hashtag #ETCSharing on Instagram, where Eclectica Contemporary will feature selected pieces on their stories. It’s a fun way to showcase your talent while spending time indoors. Additionally, the Getty Museum invites you to recreate famous artworks using objects and people from your home. Check out some creative recreations in this article: Getty Museum Art Recreated or visit the @GettyMuseum Twitter account for more.

I hope you enjoyed this post! If you have any comments or know of other great virtual tours in your city, feel free to share. And if you check out any of these tours, let me know what you think. Thanks so much for reading—I truly appreciate your support.

Stay safe and take care,