We are pleased to announce the participation of the Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria in the upcoming Investec Cape Town Art Fair, the largest and leading international art fair on the African continent. The fair is taking place from 20 to 22 February 2026, with the VIP Preview and Vernissage on Thursday 19 February 2026.
Renowned for its focus on artistic innovation and cultural exchange, the Fair brings together prestigious galleries and art professionals from around the world. The 2026 edition will welcome 126 exhibitors from 34 cities around the world, featuring the works of 490 artists, confirming its status as the most important meeting point between the dynamic African art market and the international art scene.
The fair also offers a wide range of educational experiences designed to inspire a new contemporary awareness. Dr Maria Adelaide Marchesoni, author of numerous publications for the Il Sole 24 Ore group, will also be joining the fair. In addition to meetings with artists/galleries, studio visits and meetings with collectors and curators, she will be holding a walkabout in dialogue with collector Guido Giachetti. Details:
Date: Saturday, 21 February 2026
Venue: ICTAF, on tour
Time: from 12.30 to 13.30
For the 2026 edition, the Institute is also pleased to present a talk by Francesca Lanzavecchia, an internationally renowned Italian designer whose interdisciplinary work ranges from product design to research, with a particular focus on human needs, care and the social impact of design. Details:
Title: Grounded practice and global reach: embracing local knowledge and ecological responsibility through design
Synopsis: This meeting aims to explore how designers around the world are shaping a dynamic and pluralistic design language, deeply rooted in local contexts but with global resonance. By reinterpreting traditional techniques and embracing collaborative, material-conscious processes, these creatives are not only contributing to the global dialogue on design, but actively redefining its future.
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Venue: to be confirmed
Time: 15:00
Further information and RSVPs https://digital.investeccapetownartfair.co.za/en-US/events/693ae27a6ed847cf71e58c39?date=2026-02-21
We are delighted to present these two influential voices from the world of art and creativity in Cape Town, and to once again participate in the dynamic platform for artistic dialogue and cultural exchange that ICTAF represents.
To learn more about the artist: www.francescalanzavecchia.com/about