Galleries and Museums near Mpumalanga
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and are not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
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Pietermaritzburg (28.4 km from Mpumalanga) The Blue Caterpillar Art Gallery is situated in the Butterflies for Africa complex in Pietermaritzburg. The gallery was established in 2001 and exhibits both local and international artists.
There is a wide variety of paintings, prints, sculptures, ceramics, and photography on display. The different styles and subject matters include sublime landscapes, quirky French villagers and contemporary woodcut prints.
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Pinetown (31.2 km from Mpumalanga) The Fat Tuesday Gallery is dedicated to providing an exhibition space for visual artists. The gallery is strongly focused on acting as a platform for both emerging and established photographers. There is an eclectic mix of various paintings, photographs, and ceramics that will entice people with different tastes and interests.
There are also various funky items on display such as retro clocks, wind-up toys and re-worked images of pop culture. Visitors can browse through the large collection of books, home decor, and various pieces of original art. The gallery is open on weekdays and on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.
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Westville (41.8 km from Mpumalanga) Named after Jonas Bergtheil, this museum is situated in the leafy suburb of Westville midway between Durban and Pinetown.
Much of the museum is housed in Westville’s oldest building featuring massive stone walls and hand-hewn timber floorboards. The park like surrounds add an atmosphere of tranquility.
Exhibits mostly focus on the first German settlers that Jonas Bergtheil brought to Natal as director of the Natal Cotton Company and their associations with the settlements of Westville, Claremont and New Germany.
Visiting hours are 8:30 – 16:00 Monday to Friday, 8:00 – 12:00 Saturdays. Closed Sundays and Public Holidays. Entrance is free.
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Durban Beachfront (51.6 km from Mpumalanga) Built right on Catalina flying boats' Control Tower on Wilson's Wharf, Catalina Theatre's theme and decor reflect the ambience of a creative and dramatic flying machine!
Catalina Theatre is the dream of Durban thespian, director, producer and performing arts personality, Themi Venturas. New productions are staged every two to three weeks and vary from comedy and the classics to drama and rock music.
At Catalina there is a seat in the house to suit every artistic taste and personality. Bar staff are funky, the drinks are cold and the harbour view is breath taking. Say no more!
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Durban (53.1 km from Mpumalanga) The BAT Centre is Durban's vibrant multi-purpose arts centre merging visual and performing arts under one roof. The bright mosaic and mural-covered building has undergone a complete transformation from its former navy hang-out days. Here you will find galleries, artists-in-residence, plus performances of folk music, poetry and spoken-word. The auditorium is the site of the main events held at the BAT Centre. It can hold up to 750 people or 500 people
seated and has dressings rooms and ablution facilities.
Why BAT? Acronym for 'The Bartel Arts Trust' this centre is also an urban-based community art centre that is a venue and facility for skills training, promotion and exposure of disadvantaged and emergent artists. The focus of the centre is local arts, culture, crafts and entertainment that reflects the Zulu, Indian and Western heritage of KwaZulu-Natal. The difference at BAT is the grassroots, the experimental, the cross-arts trends and the innovation that is promoted at the centre.
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Durban Central (53.2 km from Mpumalanga) Visit the Old Court House Museum, one of Durban's oldest buildings bearing a fascinating and varied past.The building was loop-holed during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879; it bore witness to both the South African Wars and the Bambatha Rebellion, and more recently acted as a recruitment centre and canteen during both World Wars. It was here that African men were given sanction to enter the city or were denied access, and had to pay the mandatory Poll Tax. Here too, at the beginning of his legendary vocation as an activist, Gandhi was asked by the judge to leave the court for wearing a turban! The museum features a number of collectables in the foyer, including an extensive miniature car collection. The Daphne Strutt Costume Room features fashion from throughout the 20th century, interesting accessories such as cigarette cases, bags, shoes, jewellery and hats enhance the display. A number of rare Art Deco and Nouveau pieces make this exhibition a must for aficionados. The 'Movers and Shakers' exhibition features miniature figurines relating to KwaZulu-Natal's history. A touch screen computer display introduces visitors to a broad overview of the province's history through the lives of these personalities.The Durban Room features the city's progression in lifestyle, wealth and means of production, from the colonial era to the post-colonial era.The Durban Room features four unique exhibits - the David SB Anderson Pharmacy, Henry Francis Flynn's Cottage, Clairmont Sugar Mill (showing developments in the production of Natal's most lucrative resource) and the Miss Fann Fancy Repository with a display of the fine imported fabrics, haberdashery and luxuries available in Durban at the end of the 19th century. Need to know? Visiting Hours are Monday to Saturday: 8:30 to 16:00; Sundays and Public Holidays: 11:00 to 16:00; closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.
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Umhlanga Ridge (56.9 km from Mpumalanga) Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre at Gateway is where it all comes together.
The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country.
There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.
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Fort Nottingham (83.6 km from Mpumalanga) Fort Nottingham is very quiet and there’s not much to do except visit the smallest town hall in South Africa – it’s more like a medium-sized garden shed – and spend an hour or so in the museum that’s now housed in the old fort.
Fort Nottingham derives its name from Nottingham shire's Regiment - the 45th 'Sherwood Foresters', who were stationed there in 1856. This fort was originally developed when a body of troops manned it to protect settlers in the foothills of the Drakensberg from Bushman or San cattle raids. Visitors can visit the Fort Nottingham Museum located 15 km southwest of Nottingham Road.
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 – 16:00. Closed Monday to Tuesday.
The annual Bell’s Fort Nottingham Highland and Traditional Games are held on the grounds of Fort Nottingham (8 km from the village). The festival encompasses events, exhibitors, food stalls, highland dancing and athletic games typically found at the Breamar Games in Scotland.
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Groutville (88.5 km from Mpumalanga) Take a trip out to Groutville and discover one of South Africa’s national treasures. The Luthuli Museum comprises the former home of "Nobel Peace Prize