The best art galleries in Zambia are clustered in Lusaka, with two important stops in Livingstone. This guide covers ten places, from the artist-run Henry Tayali Gallery to the award-winning Zeela Art Gallery, so you can plan a visit, meet artists and take home something original.
Zambian art is more than curios sold at roadside stalls. Painters, sculptors, printmakers and photographers work in studios across the country, and a growing number of galleries now give them a room to show it. Whether you are a visitor, a collector or a Lusaka resident looking for a weekend outing, the list below mixes public institutions, private collections and contemporary spaces. Opening hours and exhibitions change often, so check with each venue before you go.
1. Henry Tayali Visual Arts Gallery
The Henry Tayali Gallery is the closest thing Zambia has to a national gallery. It sits on Lion Lane in the Lusaka Showgrounds, in a building converted from an old tobacco warehouse, and is run by the Zambia National Visual Arts Council under the motto “By the artists, for the artists.” It carries the name of Henry Tayali, the painter, printmaker and sculptor who died in 1987 and is remembered as one of the country’s most important artists. Sculptors work in studios a short walk away, so you can often meet the maker of a piece you like. Most works are for sale at fair prices, which makes this the best first stop for visitors who want an authentic souvenir.
2. Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre (LuCAC)
LuCAC in Chamba Valley opened in 2023 and is described as Zambia’s first dedicated contemporary art hub. It was founded by the artist Victor Mutelekesha through his foundation, with a focus on advancing contemporary Zambian art. Come here for newer, more experimental work rather than traditional subjects.
3. Zeela Art Gallery & Homestay
Zeela is a family-run gallery in New Kasama that began when the Salasini family opened their home to the public in 2017 to show a collection built over about fifteen years. It includes paintings along with wood and stone sculptures. In 2025 the World Art Awards named it Best Gallery in Zambia, which says a lot about how far a private home gallery can go. The homestay option means you can sleep among the art.
4. Namwandwe Gallery
Namwandwe is a private collection of Zambian and wider African art owned by businessman and patron John Kapotwe and shown in a farm setting. Visitors praise the knowledgeable guides, who explain the stories behind paintings by mostly Zambian artists. It suits families, couples and small groups looking for a relaxed half-day outing outside the city centre.
5. 37D Gallery
The 37D Gallery in Kabulonga grew out of the stART Foundation, which Pamela Chan started in 2011 at her home on Middleway Road to promote visual arts and arts education. Today it pairs exhibitions by emerging and established artists with an on-site cafe, so you can look at art over brunch. Visitors also mention that art sales help support local artists, which is worth asking about when you buy.
6. Lechwe Trust Art Gallery
If you want to understand how Zambian art developed, visit the Lechwe Trust in Kabulonga. Its collection includes woodcuts, ceramics, sculptures and drawings that trace the country’s art story across different periods and regions. It is a quieter, more scholarly stop than the commercial galleries and a good counterpoint to LuCAC’s contemporary focus.
7. Everyday Lusaka Gallery
Most galleries sit in leafy suburbs. Everyday Lusaka deliberately does not. It occupies the Tarry Building in the central business district, where street noise and city life seep into the exhibition space. The programme leans toward photography and visual art about ordinary urban life, so expect stories you will not find in a polished suburban showroom.
8. Lusaka National Museum
The Lusaka National Museum in Kamwala is a history museum first, but its ground floor shows contemporary Zambian paintings and sculpture, while the upper floor covers life before and after independence. It is an easy way to pair art with context, and local artists regularly exhibit here.
9. Livingstone Museum (Ethnography and Art Gallery)
Zambia’s oldest and largest museum opened in 1934 at 317 Mosi-oa-Tunya Road. Its Ethnography and Art Gallery shows the diversity of the country’s cultures through objects and art, alongside archaeology, history and David Livingstone galleries. One listing gives daily hours of 09:00 to 16:30, but confirm before travelling. It makes a natural cultural stop on a Victoria Falls trip.
10. National Art Gallery, Livingstone
The National Art Gallery in Livingstone is run by the National Arts Council of Zambia through the Southern Province branch of the Visual Arts Council. It offers a modern space for contemporary Zambian art, with most exhibited pieces for sale. It also hosts solo and group exhibitions, concerts and workshops, so check what is on during your dates. Livingstone also has small private studios and open-air galleries, such as Wayi Wayi Art Studio and Gallery, which are worth a look if you have extra time.
Tips for Buying Art and Planning Your Visit
- Ask for the artist’s name, the year and the medium, and request a receipt for anything you buy.
- Prices are usually negotiable at artist-run venues such as the Henry Tayali Gallery but not always at private galleries, so ask politely.
- Group several visits in one area: 37D Gallery and the Lechwe Trust are both in Kabulonga.
- Call or message ahead. Hours and exhibitions change, and private collections like Namwandwe may need a booking.
- Ask about shipping or packing if you are flying out. Paintings travel more easily than large sculptures.
- Bring cash and a card, since payment options differ between venues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best art gallery in Zambia?
Zeela Art Gallery & Homestay won Best Gallery in Zambia at the 2025 World Art Awards. For a broader introduction to Zambian art, the Henry Tayali Gallery is the usual first stop.
Where can I buy Zambian art in Lusaka?
The Henry Tayali Gallery sells works directly from artists. 37D Gallery and several other Lusaka venues also sell pieces, so ask at the desk.
Are there art galleries in Livingstone?
Yes. The National Art Gallery in Livingstone shows contemporary Zambian art, and the Livingstone Museum has an Ethnography and Art Gallery.
Which Zambian artist is the gallery in the Showgrounds named after?
Henry Tayali, a painter, printmaker and sculptor who died in 1987 and whose name the gallery took after his death.
Do I need to pay to enter?
Entry rules vary by venue and can change, so confirm with the gallery before you visit.
