Lusaka's Hidden Gems Pt 1

You don't have to fly out to experience world-class art. Right here in Lusaka, a handful of small, under-the-radar galleries are creating spaces that are raw, real, and genuinely worth your Saturday afternoon.

By Akatoka N Kayama • March 31, 2026

Lusaka's Hidden Gems Pt 1 - Art Galleries

Lusaka has never been short of talent, but spaces where local artists can show their work regularly for people to engage with. But that scene is quietly changing as a new wave of galleries is providing that real, authentic space for artists to express themselves fully. If you haven't heard of them yet, consider this your introduction.

Kagimu Art Studio

Kagimu Art Studio is a gallery that is home to the African Reflections Exhibition, which alone makes it worth your attention. Now in its fourth edition, running from November to January, it has become one of the most anticipated Lusaka cultural galleries, as the work shown here is meant to make you feel rather than be decorative.

A quiet but powerful space where art moves beyond decoration and into lived experience, often inviting the audience to participate rather than just observe. (Image courtesy of Kagimu Art Studio).

Last edition's standout was the Museum of Divorce by Chakwamba Banda, an interactive installation that allowed visitors to share their own divorce and relationship stories, clocking over a million views on TikTok and drawing thousands of people through the doors.

Kagimu is where some of Lusaka’s most talked-about and emotionally charged pieces come to life. (Image courtesy of Kagimu Art Studio).

Imvelo Studio

Drive out to Leopards Hill, and you will find Imvelo Studio sitting in the kind of setting that already puts you in a creative mood before you've even walked through the door. The studio works with artists who are serious about their craft.

Known for its thoughtful curation, Imvelo showcases artists whose work reflects a deeper exploration of identity, culture, and craft. (Image courtesy of Imvelo Studio),

What makes Imvelo stand out is the sense that the work here is connected to something large. There is awareness of Zambian identity and what it means to create art.

Imvelo Studio blends nature and creativity into a space that feels as intentional as the work it houses. (Image courtesy of Imvelo Studio).

Manjarts Foundation

Manjarts Foundation is in Kalingalinga, and its location is part of the point. This is not a gallery tucked away somewhere that only certain people feel welcome to enter. Manjarts is rooted in community, and the work it supports reflects the lives and stories of the people around it.

Rooted in the heart of Kalingalinga, Manjarts is a community-driven space where art reflects everyday life, not just gallery expectations. (Image courtesy of Teddy Mweemba).

The foundation has been quietly building something meaningful by supporting local artists, nurturing talent, and creating a space where art is not treated as a luxury. If you want to understand what Zambian art looks like when it is not performing for an outside audience, Manjarts is where you go.

Manjarts is a creative hub nurturing local talent and making art accessible to the people it represents. (Image courtesy of Teddy Mweemba).

Lusaka's Art Scene Is Worth Showing Up For

The galleries doing the most in this city are often the ones you have never heard of. Lusaka's best-kept secrets have a habit of becoming everyone's favourite thing once word gets out. These three galleries are at that tipping point right now. Catch them before the rest of the city catches on.

art

art in zambia

culture