Absorb & Acquire African Art in Durban, KwaZulu Natal

After a working day pushing tankers around Durban's harbour, tubby little tugboats rest at the bluff listening to live African jazz, rock or Reggae performed on the deck at the BAT Centre. This Bartel Arts Trust venue is an urban arts and cultural centre serving as a platform of exposure for emergent local artistic aptitude. On-site skills training of previously disadvantaged truly South African artists further innovates their outstanding grass roots musical and creative arts talents.

Culture meets crafts and canvas with creative cross-overs interchanging between KwaZulu Natal's Indian, Zulu and Western influences that are the focus of this showcase. A large vibrant building mural decorates the façade of warehouse walls that open up to introduce visitors face to face with artists and performers that would have been otherwise too remote to appreciate.

An original painting by Sizwe Cele (Tel: 073 030-1537)

The BAT Centre is a Non Profit Organisation established in 1985 and dedicated to artistic upliftment for the benefit of the country by means of craft, dance, music, literature and visual arts. Watch live artists at work, live musicians at play and live dancers in motion. Artefacts, basket weaving, beadwork, bronzes, carvings, ceramics, drawings, etchings, jewellery, mouldings, pottery, sculptures, sketches, tapestry, textiles, wire-work , woodwork and word work are all on display and for sale at the bayside gallery.

On request goods can be specially packed and exported internationally. Resident artists create, compose and choreograph in the shade of container ships while visitors enjoy a cappuccino at the café, sundowners at the cocktail bar and a traditional African inspired meal with music at the restaurant. This is the largest art gathering in Durban uplifting onlookers through magnificent New Age, traditional and contemporary art related offerings at the edge of the Indian Ocean. The pieces presented are outstanding individual creations far beyond typical curio options