McGregor SA
Below a typical Highveld “koppie” in the little town of Irene just outside Pretoria is the unpretentious house that for more than half a century was home to one of South Africa’s greatest and most controversial sons, Jan Smuts.
The front of Smuts House
Founder and owner of the Tina Skukan Art Gallery, Thea Nigrini
Nestled on the side of a koppie (hill) to the east of Pretoria is a unique art gallery under a grove of trees.
Started some 16 years ago by Croatian-born Thea Nigrini and named for her late mother, the Tina Skukan Gallery is as individual as its founder.
Thea has been living on the plot (small holding) on which the gallery is situated for more than 40 years, since her mother gave it to her when she was 20.
Passionately interested in art, Thea decided to do something with her love of art and make it into a life’s work – she has made art a business, but with very human dimensions and a decidedly rustic feel in the midst of the bustling suburbia that is Faerie Glen, a elatively-upmarket suburb of Pretoria.
The plot actually forms part of the Bronberg Nature Reserve and is blessed with abundant bird life and an eclectic selection of trees under which one is likely to come across surprises and delights for the eye.
Thea came to South Africa in 1953 with her parents and sister after fleeing the war in Croatia, East Germany and West Germany.She studied at the University of Pretoria and wanted to practice art herself, but ultimately found it more rewarding to assist other artists by providing a conducive exhibition space.
One of the exhibition spaces
The menu is always enticing
After being involved in another retaurant venture she also started a tea garden at the gallery but has since, after doing all the cooking and baking herself, decided to concentrate on the art and leave the catering to another person.
The main exhibition space
The gallery and tea garden offer a wonderfully relaxed and yet stimulating artistic and culinary experience in lovely surroundings.
Interesting pieces are to be found all over the garden as well as in the galleries
A visit to the gallery is definitely a great experience – and you might even be able to have a stimulating and interesting conversation with Thea!
© Text and photos copyright Tony McGregor 2011
Locomotive of the “Friends of the Rail” organisation in Pretoria
For steam train enthusiasts one of the most enjoyable things to do in Pretoria is to go on an excursion of the Friends of the Rail (FOTR) organisation.
FOTR has been running excursions and working to preserve the steam train heritage of South Africa for more than a quarter of a century. It is based at the old South African Railways station Hermannstad in the north west of Pretoria.
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