Physical Address
Pearly Beach
Western Cape
7220
There are some events you can dip in and out of — and others that ask you to adjust your pace entirely. The Baardskeerdersbos Art Route falls firmly into the latter. Set in one of the Overberg’s smallest and most characterful villages, it’s an experience shaped as much by conversation, landscape and time as it is by the art itself.
This year’s route introduces a few thoughtful additions, most notably a central gathering point and a refreshed group of artists, giving the weekend a slightly different rhythm. It runs from Friday March 27 to Sunday the 29th.
As member artist Eva Gilliam explains: “This year we have the Bbos Art Gallery and Café in the heart of the village as a hub which is something new! Also we have a bunch of new guest artists from all over… the artists are new and we’re very excited to have them this year.”
A new centre to the route
The Bbos Art Gallery & Café, co-created by Gilliam and fellow artist Claire Gunn, is a new addition that anchors the route in a single, shared space. It’s both a practical starting point — with maps and information — and a place to return to between visits. The official opening takes place here on Friday 27 March from 5–7pm, setting a relaxed tone for the weekend ahead.
What to look out for
Alongside the open studios and exhibitions, a number of scheduled and informal experiences add depth to the programme:
- Giant Periwinkle Artists Walkabout (Saturday and Sunday, 10:30–11:30)
A guided opportunity to engage more closely with selected works, continuing into Kali and Quentin’s Open Forest Installation. - N/um N/um forest interludes
Music and poetry will take place at various points over the weekend, without a fixed schedule. - Improv comedy evening (Saturday)
Two 45-minute sets at the Bbos Art Gallery & Café, with entry including a glass of wine or coffee. - Pizza and handmade mozzarella experience
A slower, food-focused stop at No.11 Granaatlaan on Saturday afternoon and Sunday lunch.
The core of the route remains the open studios and group exhibitions, running from 9am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday. More events could be added to check their website for the latest information.
A more reflective exhibition
At the Baardskeerdersbos Community Centre, the “Held Captive” exhibition by Blood Lions offers a more sobering counterpoint to the weekend.
Through the work of five photographers and conservationists, it examines South Africa’s commercial captive predator industry. The images are direct and, at times, difficult to look at — including one that captures a lion’s eye through the narrow slit of a steel crate — but they form an important part of the broader conversation about how we relate to the natural world.
Eat, drink and take your time
Food and hospitality are woven into the route rather than sitting alongside it. Stops between studios naturally include:
- Coffee and light meals at the Bbos Art Gallery & Café
- Local produce and hearty fare at Marietjies Pub & Padstal
- Casual meals at Primi
Printed maps will be available at each venue, and additional suggestions can be found under the event’s “Eat, Sleep and Play Local” listings.
Gilliam’s advice is straightforward: “I recommend taking your time at each spot, staying for lunch or coming for coffee, chatting with the artists, booking something and staying over!”
Accommodation options range from farm stays and retreats such as Farm 215, Bodhi Khaya Retreat and Platbos, to guesthouses in nearby Napier and Elim.
Make the most of the area
For those staying longer, the surrounding Overberg offers plenty to explore:
- Agulhas National Park, stretching across the southernmost tip of Africa
- Sandberg Fynbos Reserve, known for its biodiversity
- Pearly Beach, ideal for walking, swimming or simply spending time along the coast
The artists
This year’s participants include Jan Vingerhoets, Sue Vingerhoets, Kali van der Merwe, Eri-Kah van Breda, Niël Jonker, Eva Gilliam, Claire Gunn, Lalainya Carpenter, Laurel Holmes, Roy Zetisky, Nastasha Sale, Liz van den Berg, Caron Lee, Nina Schein, Annalene van der Colff, Heidi Smith, Quentin Green, Leli Hoch, Linda Budde and Nicky Heyburgh.
Plan for the weekend
The Baardskeerdersbos Art Route is best approached without a tight schedule. Distances are short, but the experience unfolds slowly — through conversations with artists, unexpected performances, and time spent moving between places. It’s possible to visit for a day, but staying over allows for a more complete sense of what the route offers — not just as an art event, but as a reflection of the village itself.
Click here for more information.
