The newly opened Norval Foundation in Steenberg is a real must for anyone looking to enjoy contemporary local art in a stunning environment. The centre allows for the research and exhibition of 20th and 21st century visual art from South Africa and beyond. I visited last week and apart from the incredible artworks on display, one aspect I really enjoyed was that the gallery is not too large. This allowed me to really take in the pieces, not feel overwhelmed and still have plenty of time to savor a lunch at their restaurant.

The Skotnes Restaurant, named after legendary South African artist and teacher Cecil Skotnes, is an impressive space with so much attention to detail. Every design element is spot on and we really had a fantastic dining experience. You can also access the restaurant without having to pay the gallery entrance fee. I imagine summer evenings on the deck will be fabulous, especially since the foundation has concerts and live music lined up.

The Sculpture Garden is certainly one of the gallery’s greatest drawcards and is located in a lovely wetland, against the backdrop of Ou Kaapse Weg and Silvermine. It makes for a lovely wander about. For the garden lovers and for kid-friendly family outings, you can pre-order a picnic basket all Summer-long.

Entrance to the gallery is free on Mondays to make it accessible to everyone.  

All photography: Lana Kenney ©