North West University Gallery
Our Two Galleries
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The NWU Galleries consist of two designated gallery spaces. In 2002, under the initiative of Profs John Botha and Annette Combrink and the vision of Dr Tom Larney (previous Director of the Ferdinand Postma Library), the NWU Gallery, as it is known today, came into existence. The new gallery was grandly opened with the ‘Boerneef tot Pierneef’ exhibition. This designated space in the Ferdinand Postma Library boasts climate controlled storage facilities and a large exhibition space for temporary exhibitions.
In 2007 the previous curator of the Botanical Garden, Martin Smit and NWU Chief Curator Christina Naurattel, identified the necessity to develop an art gallery and sculpture park in the NWU Botanical Garden. The main goal and objectives of this venture were to create an educational and stimulating environment where locals could come and relax while learning more about the environment and the arts.
With the assistance of Prof Combrink, the appropriate funds were secured for the renovation of an old unused laboratory into a designated gallery space in the Botanical Garden. The NWU Botanical Garden Gallery was opened in 2008 with the Rendezvous Focus Sculpture exhibition.
Mission and Vision
As a public art gallery, the NWU Gallery connects the cultural life of the NWU to that of the wider community through a lively and critical programme of exhibitions, publications, and events that foster awareness, understanding and appreciation of the arts and our surrounding environment every year.
The gallery’s vision for the future is to advance the arts in the North-West province and to be a platform for students and members of the community to discuss the important issues in South Africa and in the South African arts industry.