If there’s anything that stands out in visitors’ reviews of the Goodman Gallery, it’s the masterful curation of thought-provoking art collections. We love how the gallery celebrates local artistry and seeks to highlight the many facets of Johannesburg through the eyes of its own people.

Although it is admittedly a relatively small space, we like how the Goodman Gallery oriented its space. As you journey through a particular exhibit, you go through a W-shaped path that makes the room seem bigger than it actually is.

We think that this is a great way to maximise space and shape the narrative of the exhibit, as it leads visitors down a structured path.

Storytelling is also one of the Goodman Gallery’s strongest suits. From the space and layout themselves to the arrangement of the pieces, narratives are thoughtfully woven and told.

Visitors commend the gallery’s attention to detail, as even the space itself already tells a strong story. For us, this is another big plus, as it is incredibly inspiring to experience someone’s art by walking through living pieces of art through the structure itself.

We are also pleased to hear that exhibits here are constantly being changed. While this means that you would really have to stay updated to catch a collection before it’s taken down, it also means that there will always be a new experience waiting for you at each visit.

Thankfully, the gallery is accessible to most people with free admission and safe parking. At the same time, one only needs to cross the street to enjoy a roster of trendy restaurants and bars for that post-visit social.

We think that Everard Read is one of those galleries that has everything for everyone. Not only do they source fine art from international artists, but they also feature other forms of art that are as inspiring as they are diverse.

Hats off to the architectural and design team, as we truly love the modern yet fresh space. It is contemporary and sleek, but also calming and intimate.

In fact, the gallery has been used as a venue for photo shoots, with its great natural lighting and interesting nooks. We also love how the artwork is organised in different spacious rooms, allowing visitors to soak in the art without feeling uncomfortable or rushed.

Parents even say that this is a gallery that even kids would love, with its lush greenery and interesting sculptures. We love an art hub that appeals to people of all ages, as it invites different sets of eyes to appreciate art from their unique lenses.

Younger people also recommend Everard Read for the thought-provoking exhibitions and installations. We love how each generation has a specific thing they love about the gallery.

While admission is (thankfully) free, most people would have to visit it on weekdays as it runs on limited hours during weekends. Art enthusiasts may also feel challenged by the lack of exhibition texts on some pieces, and there are times when the same designers would get featured for different cycles.

Despite these minor setbacks, we think that Everard Read is worth a visit. As Africa’s oldest commercial art gallery, its existence in itself is a historic experience to be enjoyed.

Out of all the galleries in this list, Johannesburg Art Gallery is what we like to call our “diamond in the rough.” Some people are put off by its location, as Joubert Park can get incredibly busy, crowded, and yes, unsafe for first-timers or tourists.

However, we happen to think that it is a rare gem in the inner city. Featuring artwork that dates all the way back to the 1600s, Johannesburg Art Gallery houses some of the most prized pieces in the art world – and in South African history.

First off, the building itself is an exquisite piece of art. Yes, it may be showing its age – but we daresay it’s part of the charm, being an authentic structure representing the Edwardian era.

Visitors commend the gallery for showcasing interesting pieces and hosting regular exhibits. It has been criticised for sometimes putting up a limited number of pieces on display, but this may be due to ongoing improvements and renovations being made in the building.

We love that it’s free so that it remains accessible to anyone interested in art. Locals love its centre courtyard, a peaceful oasis in the building where one could take a reflective pause after exploring the gallery’s current collection.

It’s important to note that there is no cafe or restaurant in the gallery itself, so visitors should bring their own snacks to enjoy in the courtyard.

There are some complaints about the overall maintenance of the space, as some visitors have seen rain leaking into certain areas or floors remaining unswept. We hope that management has now been able to address these, as we think it would be a shame to lose visitors over this.

It can also be challenging to stay updated on its schedule, as some visitors have commented on how difficult it can be to get accurate information from staff.

All in all, we think that this is a gallery for the spontaneous and adventurous. The location is a hotspot for authentic culture and the gallery itself is a piece of history just waiting to be explored.

No doubt about it, Kim Sacks Gallery is hands-down the most intriguing and eclectic place on our list. Its namesake and owner is an artist herself, which is probably the winning factor for us.

Kim Sacks is actually a retail gallery featuring a breathtaking diversity of art forms – from ceramics and pottery to linens, textiles, jewelry, and masks. With designs ranging from the contemporary to downright tribal, we think her place is a must-see for creatives and style enthusiasts alike.

Visitors compliment the thoughtful selection and curation of all these art pieces, which speaks a lot about the expertise and experience of the owner. We think that what makes the experience even more powerful is Sacks’ knowledge of her featured art. 

Sacks is described as passionate, energetic, and well-versed. For serious art buffs who want to take home unique pieces that speak to them, this is the perfect place to converse with someone who also knows her stuff.

No visit to this place is wasted, as the retail collection is usually well-stocked and there is usually something nice to take home. The gallery, however, is known for its ceramics and pottery – a tip for people who are looking for something a bit more specific.

But the one thing we think really makes Kim Sacks Gallery stand out is its craft/art school. For us, this is a great way to get people to really interact with art – to create for themselves and learn a lot in the process.

The final gallery that made it to our list offers yet another interesting experience for both enthusiasts and experts. FotoZA is actually an art gallery-cum-coffee shop, offering a space to sit, work, drink, and dine in the presence of amazing art.

We love the concept of mixing coffee and art – we think this would be most attractive to the younger crowd. The space is also available for hire, which means you could “borrow” the inspiring ambiance for your next celebration, work event, or special occasion.

FotoZA puts the spotlight on photographic art, which we like. Photos are one of the most accessible art forms, and also something that translates uniquely to different generations.

What is great about FotoZA is that they accept submissions from any photographer. They can choose the space they want to occupy in the huge space and send in their photo collections. 

With this, the collections are constantly changing, which means that you get to appreciate something new each time you pay FotoZA a visit. 

Of course, the only downside to this is that since it’s located in a mall, the lighting is less than stellar. But given the overall experience it aims to provide, this fact is forgivable. 

We think that FotoZA’s concept is a unifying one. It brings together people from all backgrounds, ages, and walks of life and invites them to explore the perspectives of different artists.

And to be able to do this, cup of coffee in hand with relaxing jazz music soothing the soul, makes for one unforgettable experience in our books.

The Lifestyle Art Gallery in Johannesburg is next on our list for your consideration.

First of all, we love that they offer 4 types of art – fine, decorative, landscape, and contemporary. 

To increase the thrill of purchasing the items, they also do auctions. We think this may be a good opportunity for artists to sell their art as well.

There are a lot of pieces to choose from, even in their tiny gallery. Nonetheless, most paintings are too close to one another that the walls can look overcrowded, in our opinion.

Still, it’s handy that they accept various payment options. 

This includes PayFast, Visa, Mastercard, and Float – the last one is helpful since it allows up to 24 interest-free monthly installments using the client’s existing credit card. 

We like that this makes all the artwork more accessible to those who have a lovely art preference but with a tight budget.

They also have sales and discounts now and then (e.g., the Black November Sale at 15% off). We recommend looking into these on their website and social media updates to get their coupon codes and save money.

For added convenience, it’s valuable that Lifestyle Art Gallery offers free delivery nationwide. Just find the art you love online, and it can get to you without much hassle.

Gallery Luza is an art gallery that provides stunning oil and acrylic paintings for your wall. The art gallery has some of the most artistic paintings made by Tony Luza who is an accomplished multidisciplinary artist and Graphic designer from Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Tony’s artwork uses a variety of mediums, including hand sketching, painting, printmaking, and music. He was also a pioneer in computer-generated art that made use of computer components. 

His extremely inventive, fantasy-inspired paintings employ layers of metaphor and tale to pique the viewer’s interest, promote thinking, and invite further examination. 

Tony’s visually tactile, mixed-media work is produced to collectively create a new reality with a more expressive, representational arrangement. It is a musical, rhythmic synthesis of drawing, painting, collage, and assemblage.

His artwork has been displayed both nationally and internationally at hotels, industry groups, the Art of Fine Living Art Exhibition at Waterfall Valley Estate, and group displays with the Society of Artists Under the Sun. 

It has also appeared in a number of newspapers. Although Tony is most known for his paintings, his graphic design work is displayed at his firm, flash design, which he co-owns with his wife.

Studio Gesso Framing has had over 25 years in framing. They’re experts at framing memories and art pieces.

Their studio has a vast array of framing mouldings and profiles that you can find to adorn your walls with.

What we like is that they make sure to keep up with the latest trends when it comes to picture framing and make use of high quality materials from leading suppliers.

We adore their ability to do a wide range of framing styles. From classic to contemporary, they can surely do it.

They’re excellent at framing art and we’re sure if you step into their studio it won’t be different from stepping into all the other art galleries we know!

Candice Berman Gallery has inclusions of various media in its collection, such as painting, photography, sculpture, and prints, providing a broad spectrum of artistic expressions. This diversity can attract a wide audience of art enthusiasts and collectors.

Being recognized as a premier destination in Johannesburg for fine art collectors from around the world indicates the gallery’s reputation and global appeal. This recognition can attract a diverse range of art connoisseurs.

The gallery’s focus on artists working within the Expressionist Movement provides a clear aesthetic direction. This specialization can be appealing to collectors seeking a specific style or artistic movement.

Note though that specific pricing details for art pieces are not provided. Transparent pricing is essential for art collectors to understand the cost of the artworks and to make informed decisions.

In summary, Candice Berman Gallery offers a unique and curious selection of artists, with a focus on cultural and personal narratives. Their support for artist development, a diverse range of media, and international recognition are significant strengths.