Potchefstroom has been selected as a collection point for the 2026 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition. The North-West University (NWU) Botanical Garden Gallery will receive entries from artists across the North-West province.

Visual artists aged 18 and older who have not yet held a solo exhibition are encouraged to enter South Africa’s longest-running art competition, which marks 64 years of discovering, nurturing, and promoting emerging artistic talent. The competition was founded by the Association of Arts Pretoria in the 1960s and has been sponsored by Sasol since 1991.

A significant and influential part of South Africa’s cultural landscape, Sasol New Signatures continues to provide a platform for emerging visual artists at the start of their careers. It offers not only recognition but also valuable opportunities for growth, mentorship, and national exposure.

The overall winner will receive R100 000, the runner-up R25 000, and five merit award winners will each receive R10 000. In addition, the winner will have the opportunity to present a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum in 2027 – a defining milestone that enables the artist to develop and showcase a body of work in a professional museum setting.

Artists may submit up to two artworks across various media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video, and installations. Entries are free and must be delivered in person to the Botanical Garden Gallery on Tuesday, 9 June or Wednesday, 10 June, between 10:00 and 16:00.

Entry forms are available at the Snowflake Venue and the NWU Gallery or can be downloaded from the competition’s website at www.sasolsignatures.co.za. Artists are encouraged to consult the website for guidelines before submitting their work.

A selection of finalist artworks will be exhibited at the Pretoria Art Museum from Thursday, 9 September to Sunday, 8 November. For enquiries, contact Venessa van der Westhuizen at 071 331 7029.