Art galleries exhibition spaces foundations and cultural centers Senegal

Founded by Joëlle Le Bussy in 1996, this gallery is a showcase of contemporary art where modern African art is mixed with design and arts and crafts. Throughout the year, quality exhibitions are organized there, where famous visual artists and young talents meet. Joëlle also presents her own creations, designer furniture made from precious African woods, and unique decorative objects. Since 2009, Saint-Louis has been home to a branch of the gallery, which is just as pleasant to visit.

Known for his monumental sculptures, Ousmane Sow was a great figure of contemporary African art and today leaves a great void in the Senegalese artistic landscape. It was with his first series on the Nouba Wrestlers that this Dakar native was revealed to the public in 1987, at the Cultural Institute of the capital. A physiotherapist by profession, he uses his increased knowledge of human anatomy to give realism to his works. He achieved international fame in 1999 during a retrospective of his African series and The Battle of Little Big Horn on the Pont des Arts in Paris. More than 3 million visitors flocked to see the exhibition! He even fulfils the dream of every artist by joining the Academy of Fine Arts in 2013. One of his dreams? To open a place in Senegal dedicated to his most beautiful sculptures, where the public could contemplate them. This wish, although posthumous, has now become a reality thanks to his children and Béatrice Soulé, his artistic agent, who have done everything possible to repatriate his works to Senegal. This house so dear to his heart, which he had named the Sphinx as a preamble to his imagined series on the Egyptians, now houses his greatest works. Between the colourful walls, covered with the material of his creations, we wander through this artistic labyrinth according to our desires and our favourites. From the Nuba to the great men, passing by the Fulani or unfinished projects, we remain in admiration in front of its majestic sculptures.

The Alliance française is worth a visit for its incredible architecture alone! Frenchman Patrick Dujarric drew his inspiration from impluvium huts to design this disconcertingly beautiful establishment. It's the only cultural center in the whole city. It boasts a library, exhibition space, open-air cinema and a large stage for events. The Alliance is also renowned for its restaurant, set in a shady garden. At the time of our report, the Alliance Française had been burnt down during riots in the city.

Right in the heart of the Plateau, this upscale gallery invites you on a unique artistic journey through the works of contemporary artists. From photography to painting, sculpture, drawing and even digital art, you can appreciate various forms of expression depending on the exhibition. In all, some twenty artists from the four corners of the globe rotate through this private gallery, with its well-appointed space. Numerous themes are explored, from traditions to the environment. A fine art gallery not to be missed!

The craft village has a good sixty workshops-shops that can be discovered through shady alleys. Traditional clothing, jewellery, sculptures, batik fabrics, recycled objects, leather goods, paintings... this is an opportunity to buy your souvenirs. The village is interesting because you can see the artists at work, and you can easily chat with them. Take the time to go from shop to shop before making your choice. Then, it will be up to you to exercise your skillful haggling skills. Be firm!

In the courtyard of the Catholic mission, Italian Father Emmanuel Zanaboni built moulding and sculpture workshops, the Ateliers Saint-Blaise, the only training centre in West Africa. They are very well received there, and the master of the house is happy to show the different stages of realization of the works. Both Catholics and Muslims work here. The students learn the techniques of moulding, casting and decoration. The objects, made entirely by hand, are on display and for sale.

Like the French Institute, which promotes French culture around the world, the Goethe Institute's mission is to promote the German language and culture, while encouraging cultural exchanges between the two countries. The Germans invest in Senegal, among other 98 countries in the world, to develop numerous cultural projects between the country of Teranga and Germany. The institute offers to the public a quality program mixing visual arts, cinema and music. Conferences on literature are also organized.

Founded by Koyo Kouoh, a key figure on the Senegalese and international art scenes, Raw Material Company is an exhibition and residency space. It also organizes lecture series and has a specialized contemporary art library with free access. Big names from the contemporary art scene have already passed through here: Zanele Muholi, Kader Attia, Pascale Martine Tayou and Bili Bidjocka to name but a few. Be sure to check if there's an exhibition on before dropping in, and if there is, hurry there!

A smell of the past floats in this old counter as soon as you enter it. On the shelves are pressure lamps, carpenters' planes, 1950s bottles, shoemaker's tools, a Selmer trumpet, coffee grinders and a box of Mother Poulard's cookies. All these objects from another time were generously donated by the inhabitants of Podor to revive this trading post, created by Gaspard Devés in 1860. Then taken over by the Peyrissac galleries, it was later managed by one of the employees, Maodo Diop, who later transformed it into a hardware store. It is under the impetus of the association Podor Rive gauche, with the collaboration of Maodo Diop's family and other partners, that this eco-museum was created on the quays. Mamadou Diop, Maodo's eldest son, opens the doors of his family home to you, a place that has so much to tell...

Created in 1983, the National Art Gallery is a space for the promotion, diffusion, multiple exchanges and development of the plastic arts. Attached to the Ministry of Culture and Communication, it regularly hosts exhibitions of Senegalese and foreign artists, young hopefuls and recognized creators. It is always interesting to take a look at it when you walk near the Kermel market. But beware, the exhibitions are quite uneven, you can see very beautiful pieces as well as less interesting works!

Located on the Quai de Roume, on the banks of the Senegal River, the gallery of the French Institute hosts quality temporary exhibitions presenting artists of all nationalities. Some of them are the result of artist residencies organized by the Institute. Each new exhibition at the beginning of the month is accompanied by a vernissage, usually in the presence of the artist. There are also various activities, creative workshops and meetings with the artists. Find out more on the spot so that you don't miss any of the events.

Loman is a talented South African artist-designer who moved to Dakar in 2007, a city that inspires her. In perpetual renewal, her house offers a cultural escape in the neighbourhood, where inside, among Loman's astonishing wrought-iron creations, the works of local artists are enthroned. The pleasant interior patio is home to a cafeteria where many events are organised: open mic, games evenings, conferences... The gallery is also a guest house with beautiful rooms decorated with the artist's creations.

Coming from a family of griots, Ablaye Cissoko is one of the most famous kora players in the world. With his tales and stories set to the melodious notes of this traditional African stringed instrument, he has conquered a large audience since his debut at the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival. To perpetuate this cultural and artistic transmission, he created this school dedicated to the kora, the first in Senegal. Young and old, beginners and experienced players come here to learn and perfect their skills with this great kora master and experienced teachers.