17 emerging artists step into the First Thursday spotlight

7 October 2026

The City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department hosted the first of three First Thursday Emerging Artists Exhibitions last week, with the exhibition now open to the public at the Central Library until Friday, 16 October. The next two exhibitions will follow in November and December at the First Thursdays.

The Emerging Artists Programme supports early career artists who have limited access to training, resources, networks and public showcasing opportunities.

Emerging Artists 4.jpg — The audience at the exhibition.

For the last eight years, this programme has included pop-up exhibitions at the popular First Thursday events in the CBD, providing emerging visual artists with practical exhibition experience, basic developmental support and access to a public platform.

Emerging Artists 1.jpg — At the exhibition were from left Seemah Toefy from the City who leads the EAP), Councillor Higham, Louise Ing from Arts and Culture, Richard Kilpert and Palesa Motheo.

The project supports artists so that they are able to:

Understand the basic exhibition process
Improve the presentation of their work
Gain practical experience of participating in a group exhibition
Engage with visitors, buyers and other stakeholders
Build confidence in presenting and discussing their work
Gain exposure to potential sales, commissions, networks and future opportunities

The first exhibition, titled On the Edge of the Everyday, brought together 17 artists, each with their own voices, perspectives and lived experiences that do not necessarily speak the same language, yet find ways of existing alongside one another.

On the Edge of the Everyday is an invitation to pause, look closer and consider the complexity of everyday life: fragile and resilient, intimate and collective, quiet and loud.

The artists who are part of the exhibition are:

Alfred Kitsi (25) from Summer Greens; Aluta Siphesihle Ndzube (22) from Sun Valley; Carlos Fernando (21) from Cape Town; Esona Ndongeni (33) from Eerste River; Firoza Begum (36) from Kenilworth; Gabriela Valerio (31) from Brooklyn; Insawf Cassiem (29) from Brackenfell; Lesego Mqushekile (24) from Zonnebloem; Mahlatse Sinah Masilela (20) from Foreshore; Matthew Hendricks (31) from Sea Point; Mbhali Manzini (33) from Gardens; Nalenhle Mbatha (20) from Mowbray; Phumle April (36) from Muizenberg; Samantha Riddle (32) from Somerset West; Sinovuyo Sovara (23) from Philippi; Venus Fortuin (24) from Maitland; and Vuyisile Christopher April (33) from Khayelitsha.

Emerging Artists 3.jpg — The exhibitors pose for a photo.

‘Supporting emerging artists sustains the broader cultural and creative industry, it drives and encourages fresh perspectives, and allows us to invest directly in the creative journey of up and coming creators, especially young artists. We are proud to be a part of the journey of these emerging artists and I encourage residents to support them by visiting the exhibition,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Cllr Francine Higham.

Emerging Artists 2.jpg — Councillor Higham and Esona Ndongeni.

Artists interested in participating can email emerging@capetown.gov.za

Published by:
City of Cape Town

Arts and culture