Fish Hoek’s Main Road Gets a Bold New Look as 97-Year-Old AP Jones Becomes a Canvas for Creativity Rooted in Community
For the first time in its near-century history, AP Jones, the beloved 97-year-old department store anchoring Fish Hoek’s Main Road, is turning heads with a striking street-level art installation that transforms its iconic windows into a living gallery. Designed to engage pedestrians, shoppers, and passing traffic, the display bursts with colour and texture, offering a visual love letter to the valley’s charm and character. Unveiled in phases from 19 September, the installation sets the tone for the inaugural Open Studios Fish Hoek & Clovelly (OSFHC), running from 3 to 5 October.
“Putting Fish Hoek right there in the window. We hope it draws people into our studios and reveals just how rich and vibrant life here really is,” – artist Yda Walt.
“Just as you can only experience AP Jones here in Fish Hoek, so too is this new event a unique part of our valley,” adds Lauren Bing, great-granddaughter of the store’s founder.
The installation is a collaborative effort between OSFHC artists and the AP Jones team, with Walt and Sue Kaplan leading the conceptual direction. Their vision, rooted in community, creativity, and place, celebrates Fish Hoek’s layered identity. Walt’s screen-printed calico images reflect the town’s urban bustle and natural beauty, while mannequins dressed in printed paper garments add whimsy and surprise. The work of 19 participating artists, including self-portraits in various mediums, further deepens the sense of collective storytelling.
Open Studios officially kicks off today, 3 October, with a Preview Day for collectors and enthusiasts from 10h00 to 16h00. Tickets are R150, with 10% of proceeds supporting Project Flamingo. The public event runs free of charge from Saturday 4 to Sunday 5 October, 10h00 to 16h00 daily, across four curated routes. For maps, artist info, and updates, visit www.openstudios.org.za or follow @openstudiosfishhoekclovelly on Instagram.
