Art of Contemporary Africa Opens in San Francisco with Inaugural Exhibition Afropop, a Celebration of African Artists

AOCA will celebrate its opening and first exhibition, Afropop, at Minnesota Street Project Thursday, February 12th, 2026, with a welcome party from 6:30-9:30pm at 1275 Minnesota Street. Remarks will be given by Azu Nwagbogu, Unity Lewis, and Alistair Munroe. To join, RSVP below. Limited tickets available.
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Art of Contemporary Africa (AOCA) opens its doors at Minnesota Street Project, marking the launch of the city’s first Pan-African contemporary art gallery in San Francisco. AOCA is led by Craig Mark and acclaimed South African photographer Clint Strydom, and is dedicated to presenting leading and emerging artists from Africa and the African diaspora.

AOCA is the sister gallery to The Melrose Gallery, a leading Pan-African contemporary gallery based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Building on its established program, AOCA extends this vision to the United States, creating a long-term platform for African artists to engage American audiences through sustained exhibitions, dialogue, and exchange.

AOCA globally represents Dr. Esther Mahlangu, one of the most significant living artists from the African continent. The gallery’s program also includes acclaimed artists such as Ayanda Mabulu, Aza Mansongi, Noria Mabasa, Willie Bester, Edozie Enedu, Souleymane Konaté, Mwaas Githinji, Clint Strydom, Samuel Allerton, Carol Cauldwell, Médéric Turay, Denis Mubiru, Marcelle Tchopwe, Gavin Rain, André Stead, Mark Chapman, Pascal Konan, Papytsho Mafolo, and Vusi Beauchamp, among others.