The Local Palette and The Maker’s Nook

Namibia’s creative community continues to grow, and with it, new ways to experience and support local art are emerging. The Local Palette is one such initiative: a passionate pop-up exhibition platform that connects Namibian visual artists with the audiences who value their work. By transforming everyday spaces into temporary galleries, the team behind The Local Palette aims to make art more approachable, helping artists share their stories and build lasting connections with collectors, curators and the public.

This December, The Local Palette will host another pop-up exhibition in collaboration with The Maker’s Nook, a welcoming creative studio that focuses on hands-on artmaking and community connection. The Maker’s Nook offers a variety of accessible workshops, from ceramic painting to fibre arts and mixed media, encouraging people of all ages and skill levels to explore their creativity. Their commitment to inclusivity and creative learning reflects the same values that guide The Local Palette, which is that art belongs to everyone.

The exhibition will open on 6 December 2025 at StArt Art Gallery’s home, The Sweet Side of Thingz, offering visitors a relaxed and inspiring space to discover new local artworks and meet the artists behind them, as well as a chance to create their own lino print artwork with guidance from The Maker’s Nook team.

Having worked with local artists since it opened eight years ago, StArt Art Gallery is excited to lend its space and expertise to this initiative. Co-founder and curator Helen Harris says, “Initiatives like this one form an important part of our artistic ecosystem. It can be hard for younger and underrepresented artists to find welcoming spaces with low entry barriers to showcase their art. This kind of pop-up fills that gap while creating an atmosphere of celebration and appreciation.” This event follows a successful pop-up by The Local Palette held in September 2025 at the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC), where over 130 artworks by 22 artists were exhibited. That event brought together visual art, music and fashion, showing just how much creativity and collaboration thrive within Namibia’s artistic circles.

As the year comes to an end, many Namibian artists continue to look for spaces where their work can be seen, appreciated and supported. Events like this are made possible by those who attend, share and take an interest in local art. By visiting the December pop-up, guests will not only enjoy an afternoon of creativity but also play a small part in helping artists sustain their practices and grow their visibility.

Everyone is warmly invited to join The Local Palette and The Maker’s Nook on 6 December for a celebration of Namibian art, creativity and community spirit – a reminder that when we come together around local talent, the whole creative ecosystem becomes stronger.