AOCA opens next month, creating a space for pan-African art in San Francisco!
San Francisco, United States (20 January 2026) – The new space, Art of Contemporary Africa, opens on 12 February at Minnesota Street Project and will be San Francisco’s first Pan-African contemporary art gallery.
It launches with an exhibition titled Afropop, bringing together artists from different generations, including Dr Esther Mahlangu, Ayanda Mabulu, Noria Mabasa, Willie Bester, Clint Strydom and Samuel Allerton.
Rather than presenting African art as one fixed style, the exhibition shows how varied contemporary art on the continent actually is. The work spans painting, sculpture and mixed media and it reflects different histories, perspectives and ways of working.
“As the sister gallery to The Melrose Gallery in Johannesburg, AOCA brings the depth, diversity, and dynamism of Pan African Art to the heart of the Bay Area’s cultural landscape.”
The launch lands at busy period for The Melrose Galley. Later this month, the gallery will present a curated selection of work at Art Palm Beach, featuring pieces by Esther Mahlangu, Clint Strydom, Samuel Allerton, Gavin Rain and Carol Cauldwell.
Earlier in January, Art of Contemporary Africa also featured at the LA Art Show, where the team presented a group exhibition alongside a solo showcase by Dr Esther Mahlangu. Her presentation included both paintings and vessels created over eight decades of inspiring work.
“We are proud to present our stable of Pan African artists,” AOCA shares.
by 