Strauss & Co go live at Hermanus FynArts in 2026

3 Jun 2026

A highlight of a packed art month in June is the Hermanus FynArts Festival which takes place from 6-14 June. Strauss & Co and the Hermanus FynArts Festival have enjoyed a meaningful partnership since its inception more than a decade ago. From the first iteration in 2013, it has grown into a vibrant, multi-format festival showcasing the best in South African arts. From promoting the arts in the visual, performing, literary and culinary fields, it also runs activities throughout the year in support of education, training and development programmes in the greater Hermanus area. Strauss & Co’s initial involvement in the festival was guided by Stephan Welz, founding managing director of Strauss & Co, and a pivotal figure in the art world, known for his work to develop South African artists and the broader cultural landscape. Current chairperson Frank Kilbourn has deepened the company’s commitment to the festival in line with the company’s broader mission to support and grow the South African art ecosystem. 

Instead of the talks program, this year Strauss & Co will for the first time sponsor the live broadcasts from Hermanus by Cape Town based Fine Music Radio (FMR) – South Africa’s only radio station which broadcasts from a cultural centre, Artscape. FMR enjoys a strong commitment to the arts across the board in their normal programming, a close connection reflected in programmes such as Cape Diary, Arts Round-Up, Book Choice and FMR’s monthly newsletter, Opus. This is the second consecutive year that FMR will broadcast live at the Fynarts festival from Burgundy Restaurant

This will not be Strauss & Co’s only involvement at the festival by any means. As in previous years Strauss & Co will again host an art valuation day for clients in the area, on 10 June.  

Then, from the 6-14 June, from 9.30-16.00 daily at the FynArts Gallery, the company will present an exhibition, titled ‘Time and Tide: Expressions of Hermanus and the Coastal Overberg’. Curated by Strauss & Co art specialists, the exhibition focuses on work from the Overberg coast, known for its scenic fynbos, wildlife, and seascapes, and which has attracted artists and authors for many years. These include notable figures like Cecil Higgs, Nic Bladen, Alfred Krenz, Maggie Laubser and JH Pierneef, among others. The FynArts exhibition highlights local art heritage and emerging talent from Hermanus and nearby areas.

On the 11^th of June at the Hermanus Municipal Auditorium from 10.30 to 11.30am, Ian Hunter, senior art specialist at Strauss & Co, will give a talk also titled ‘Time and Tide: Expressions of Hermanus and the Coastal Overberg’, accompanying the exhibition. Ian, the regional representative for Mossel Bay to Gqeberha, is passionate about art and brings extensive knowledge of history and artists to his role. As a practising painter and graphic artist himself, Ian explores nature through expressive screenprints. In his upcoming talk, he will share insights into the Hermanus region’s art and artists, and the many nuanced ways these artists portray the dramatic land- and seascapes of the region.