#FLOFavourite: art in Accra
Accra is dripping with original arts and culture, and its art scene is constantly growing and evolving. From contemporary art to street art festivals, to local art stalls displaying textiles, ceramics, paintings, sculptures and woodcarvings that showcase the rich creativity of the nation. Here’s our guide to the best of Accra’s art scene.
Nubuke Foundation
The Nubuke Foundation is dedicated to showcasing the development of Ghanaian visual art, culture and heritage. Founded in 2006, the foundation works to make art, culture and heritage accessible to all. The Foundation is housed in an impressive building, which gives a nod to brutalist architecture. The exhibitions present the works of famed African artists in a vibrant and rich setting; it also offers cultural evenings, workshops, film screenings and live music.
Visit the Nubuke Foundation website for more on upcoming events.
Location:
7 Adamafio Close, East Legon, Accra
Opening Hours:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday- Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday – 12.30 pm-4 pm
Entry: Free
Gallery 1957
Located in the Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City, the gallery has two key spaces that feature a range of exhibitions, installations and performances from significant artists across West Africa and the diaspora. Interestingly, its name is taken from the year that Ghana gained its independence from British colonialists – 1957. The gallery aims to bridge the gap between local and international audiences, highlighting the budding art scene that is flourishing in Accra, and all across West Africa. You can find Gallery 1957 at a number of international art fairs, including Dubai 2020, Untitled Art at Miami Beach, 1-54 London and New York.
Marwan Zakhem is founder of Gallery 1957 and the Managing Director of Zahkem. This family-owned business handles large-scale engineering projects across Africa, including the developed and construction of the Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City and subsequently Gallery 1957.
Visit the Gallery 1957 website to discover upcoming exhibitions.
Location:
Located in Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City & Galleria Mall
Ministries, Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue PMB 66
Opening Hours:
Mondays & Sundays – Closed
Tuesday to Saturday- 11 am—7 pm (during exhibitions)
Entry: Free
Artists Alliance Gallery
The Artists Alliance Gallery was founded by renowned Ghanaian artist Ablade Glover. The space features some of his own work as well as the works of several other prominent African artists.
Spread over three floors the gallery displays a bountiful selection of artefacts, sculptures, woven Kente cloth, African masks and hand-carved furniture. The gallery aims to provide rich, authentic contemporary art, and traditional African art whilst also providing value-for-money art. There are several items on sale throughout the gallery from paints and beads to woven baskets.
Visit the Artists Alliance Gallery website for more on events and guided tours.
Location:
Omanye House, Accra- Tema Beach Road, Labadi, Accra
Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday – 9.00 am – 5.00 pm,
Sundays 12.00 pm – 5.00 pm
Entry: Free
Jamestown Street Art
Jamestown is positively brimming with street art that’s available to view all year-round. Several walking tours have developed which give participants the change to discover the stories behind the art, including where the famous lighthouse came from, and hear how and why Jamestown became such a thriving epicentre for art.
Some of our favourite art in Jamestown can be found at:
The Chale Wote Street Art Festival
The Chale Wote Street Art Festival is Accra’s largest arts festival, which sees Jamestown become an outdoor exhibition. Artists take to the streets of Jamestown to showcase graffiti murals, acrylic street arts and live music, creating an unforgettable and almost tangible sense of excitement in the air. The festival takes place annually in August and spreads between the lighthouses down to Ussher Fort.
Visit their website for more.
Jamestown Cafe
Set in a beautifully restored building, this bohemian styled café is an intimate setting right by the sea with great food, locally produced drinks, live music, art and great events. Plus, the onsite gallery features work by local artists and explores Ghanaian architecture.
Location:
High Street, Opposite Ussher Fort, Ashiedu Keteke, Accra
Opening Hours:
Daily 8 am – 12 am
Accra Arts Centre ( Centre for National Culture)
The Art Centre is a wonderful location to buy local artwork, crafts, woven textiles, jewellery. There are over 100 stalls and the combination of colours, conversation and unique art pieces will have you utterly immersed and extremely tempted to buy absolutely everything in sight.
Location:
Located at the intersection of Barnes Rd and 28th February Rd., Accra.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday – 8:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday to Sunday – 9:00am - 3:00pm
If you're looking for additional locations to purchase art and crafts, there is an equally great arts and crafts village located off the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange. Often referred to as the ‘craft village’ (as can be found on google), and with over 30 stalls, expect to find local art, crafts, accessories and clothing made from African textiles, furnishing and much more.
