Hermanus Open Studios - Art and Wine

Hermanus Open Studios - Art and Wine

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This 11th of February 2023 from 10h00 to 17h00, follow some of the region's most talented artists into their workspaces - where the magic flows from mind and medium to masterpiece. 

Hermanus Open Studios is a fantastic event for art lovers, as artists will be opening their home studios to view their art and get a feel for their creative processes.

Follow the link at the bottom of this article for the studio addresses where you will get to appreciate the process and art of local artists such as Tertius van Dyk, Lize van der Walt, Jeandre Marinier, Annemarie du Plooy, Louisa Kruger, Ari Swanepoel, Paula Louw, Leoni Aucamp, Gilly Shreeve, Jenny Bowes, Laetitia Eksteen, Annelie Wesson, Debbie van Vuren, Andree Noska, Obert Jongwe, Charme Southey, Hanli Farmor, Alyson Guy, Riese Maree, to name but a few.

Organiser, Soné Kuhn, saw a need to promote the magnificent art the talented people of the Overberg produce. Before Art in the Park and First Fridays Art Walk, there were not many art excursions, which is surprising in a region that produces masterpieces. Coupled with the incredible award-winning wines of the Overberg, she saw a gap to promote the Whalecoast Art and Wine Route, with art and wine walking tours through the town's galleries, art and abalone walking tours, as well as art and bike tours for the active art enthusiast. Feast your eyes on art, and extraordinary vistas as you cycle from gallery to gallery.

Soné's most recent brainchild, Hermanus Open Studios, steps inside creative spaces,

creating a connection for art enthusiasts between the art and the artist. You will be able to enjoy divine wines from Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate at the studios.

Art forms a long part of the history of the picturesque town of Hermanus. Creative souls have cherished the area since the 1920s, being drawn here from all over the country. Many felt so inspired by the beauty of the region - with sweeping vistas of mountains and oceans, lagoons and rivers, that many made the move here to reside within their inspiration. 

Many frequented The Marine, one of the oldest hotels that was built with modest beginnings in 1902 and has since flourished into an impeccable luxury seaside hotel. In its early years, from about 1920 to the 1980s, artists such as Tinus de Jongh, William Timlin, and Ernest Shepard (Winnie The Pooh illustrator in the 1930s and 40s) visited here. 

Controversial artist Vladimir Tretchikoff painted one of his most famous paintings at The Marine in 1952, the Chinese girl portrait (Monica Pon). John Galsworthy worked on his novel, The Forsyte Saga, and Nicholas Monsarrat wrote parts of The Cruel Sea while staying at The Marine. Wilbur Smith wrote much of his work in Hermanus, and when his books took off he afforded many a stay at The Marine. He wrote When the Lion Feeds in 1963 while residing in Onrus. 

The coastal village of Onrus, in the Greater Hermanus area, is known for its historical creative community. Many iconic wordsmiths resided here, where the river flows into the lagoon which once in a while opens out to the ocean - all with a backdrop of magnificent mountains. 

The forefather of this artist community, Uys Krige, lived in Onrus since the 1960s. He is a prominent literary figure known for his role in the history of our country as well as for writing award-winning novels, short stories, poems and plays. Fellow creatives, Jan Rabie and Marjorie Wallace, also resided and found inspiration in the area. They would frequent the tidal pool that has since been named after Jan Rabie. 

Friends of the couple, Elsa Joubert, stayed in Onrus. She wrote Die Swerfjare van Poppie Nongena (The Long Years of Poppie Nongena) which was translated into 13 languages and made into a film. Famous Breyten Breytenbach wrote an incredible poem about Onrus and the happiness his soul would find in the area, even after death. 

Sculptor Rhona Stern and her family would often visit the area and built a home to stay in Voëlklip in the 1980s. Stuart Cloete resided in Westcliff Road, where he wrote many short stories and novels, of which two became films - The Fiercest Heart and Majuba (based on The Hill of the Doves).

Following in these footsteps, yet blazing their own paths, many an artist has moved to the Overberg, where they too draw inspiration, feel the creative energy and produce astounding works of art. Seeff Hermanus is proud to collaborate with Hermanus Open Studios to promote art as part of the incredible offerings of this bountiful town.

Click here for the addresses and map and pay them a visit.

Author: Ruché Ten Have