The African Art Centre, opposite Quarters Hotel, at 94 Florida Rd. (tel. 031/312-3804; www.afriart.org.za; Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm, Sun 10am-3pm), is the best place to browse for woodcarvings, ceramics, beadwork, baskets, tapestries, rugs, fine art, and fabrics sourced from craftsmen and artists located throughout the province. This nonprofit organization has a staff that is extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the products and their creators. Proceeds are reinvested in the development of local talent. If this whets your appetite, a visit to the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts (NSA) Gallery, 166 Bulwer Rd., Glenwood (tel. 031/202-3686; Tues-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-3pm), is a must. The excellent exhibitions feature artists from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds and include paintings, mosaics, beadwork, and embroidery. The adjacent shop has a wide variety of visual arts, including works by master craftspeople, and the area has become a dining hub (including the NSA's alfresco Arts Café), so time your visit to coincide with lunch. If you're here on a Saturday, you could also explore the Essenwood Flea Market, held in nearby Berea Park
It can't really compete in terms of variety, but the BAT shop (tel. 031/332-9951; Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm) in the BAT Resource Centre, Small Craft Harbour, 45 Maritime Place (tel. 031/332-0451; www.batcentre.co.za), offers relatively good prices and a harborside setting. Established in 1995, this innovative community arts center is a pleasant place to shop, with several art studios where you can watch artists at work.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
