Study of Sculpture — Villa-Legodi Centre for Sculpture

The Villa-Legodi Centre for Sculpture regularly host workshops in conjunction with our exhibition and residency programme, expanding on our approach to the study of art, in particular sculpture, through making, experimenting, and exchanging knowledge. Often held in collaboration with partner organisations, such as universities and schools, they form an increasingly central focus of our day-to-day programming, geared towards the study of sculpture at all levels of artist, from school-goers, graduates, and postgraduates to practicing artists seeking mentorship, experimentation, growth, and new direction. We also support the recipients of the Villa Trust University Student Bursaries by enabling mentorship with experienced local and international artists participating in NIROX’s residency programme, where the exchange of knowledge takes place in a more one-on-one, working studio environment.

"I was able to host a four-day workshop, making maquettes from recycled waste and concrete for ten students and young professionals. Two artists, Nandipha Mntambo and Beth Diane Armstong, came to talk to the participants about their maquette making and sculpture practice. For the workshop it was important to introduce participants to the theme of the circular economy, which tied in with the theme of "Love Default", my solo show at NIROX. For this reason, we gathered waste materials from NIROX and inserted them into the concrete sculptures, giving the waste new life. Facilitating the workshop was a learning opportunity for me as an educator and also as an artist."

— Sophia van Wyk, 2025
"I engaged with the public during my exhibitions, walkabouts, and book launch events. I also conducted a workshop with a group of students from UJ and UP during which we explored craft-based sculptural making involving ordinary materials like toothpicks, bottle tops, clothes pegs and wire - materials used by myself and fellow craft-based sculptors featured in my book. These experiences were very positive in encouraging shared exploration of making by hand and exposed my fellow artists’ and my own sculptural works and processes to a wider audience."

– Walter Oltmann
Arist-in-residence, 2023
"Many participants have become enthused to utilise wood and have begun investing in woodworking tools, both manual and electrical. This opportunity for artists and students to work and learn together has also created a new sculptural network that will produce further collaborations in the future. The value of the Villa-Legodi Centre and the collaboration with Nirox Sculpture Park, The Hub and the awesome staff in all of the residency is something that cannot be underestimated."

– Gordon Froud, 2025
"The Villa-Legodi Centre for Sculpture has established itself as an important platform for thinking through sculpture not only as an artistic discipline, but as a pedagogical and social practice. Its commitment to process, material exploration, and dialogue aligns closely with NIROX Sculpture Park’s broader educational project, which places emphasis on sustained engagement, research-led practice, and the creation of meaningful learning environments beyond the conventional teaching and learning environment."

– David Andrew, 2026