Heritage Honoured, A Beautiful Things Showcase Wraps With Heartfelt Support
The Crafting Heritage: A Beautiful Things Showcase opened its doors on 25 September 2025 as a one-week tribute to Heritage Month. It was originally set to close on 03 October 2025. Yet what was meant to be a short-lived exhibition quickly gathered momentum. The steady flow of visitors and strong sales signalled that the showcase had struck a deeper chord. In response, the exhibition was extended to 10 October 2025, giving even more people the opportunity to explore and appreciate South African craft.
Hosted in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the showcase featured the work of 18 Crafters from across the country, spanning beadwork, ceramics, textiles, woodwork and mixed-material design.
Throughout its run, the exhibition drew consistent interest from collectors, retailers, cultural leaders and first-time craft buyers. Many were moved not only by the craftsmanship but by the ability to witness heritage interpreted through a contemporary lens.
The exhibition generated R27 246.00 in direct income for the makers. Every purchase during the showcase was more than a sale. It was an investment into the livelihoods of creative entrepreneurs who sustain their families, preserve culture and fuel South Africa’s growing craft economy.
One participating crafter shared:
“Most of us work quietly from our homes and never know if anyone will really see what we make. This showcase made us feel seen, valued and supported. It gave us courage to keep going.”
As the exhibition concludes, Beautiful Things extends its heartfelt thanks to DSAC, IDC, the participating artisans, sales managers, partners, visitors and especially the IDC staff, whose enthusiasm and support were instrumental in the success of the showcase.
Members of the public are encouraged to continue supporting the artisans by visiting the Beautiful Things Crafted Gifts store at the Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History in Pretoria, where a curated selection of handcrafted pieces remains available for purchase. Choosing locally made craft is one of the most tangible ways to grow the creative economy while keeping traditional knowledge alive.
The close of the exhibition marks not an ending, but a continuation of the movement it inspired. One where heritage is not only preserved but actively lived, traded and shared.