Art Galleries in Machakos
African Heritage House: Monument to African Art
The traditional route to the central and southern areas of Machakos is via the A104 Nairobi-Mombasa Road. There are two alternatives routes via Ruiri-Kangundo Road, and via A3, C100 and C97 Makutano-Kitui Road. Along the first, just 23 kms southeast of Nairobi, nearby Mlolongo, sits the acclaimed African Heritage House. Inspired by the mud designs apposite with many traditional societies in Africa, ergo combining elements from Great Zimbabwe, Hausa mosques, and Swahili structures, the house is waxed-lyrical as the continent’s first pan-Africa gallery. Conceptualized by Alan Donovan and Joseph Murumbi in 1979, it houses an extensive collection of African artifacts, textiles, jewelry, and contemporary art.
African Heritage House has embraced from its beginning a sincere love for show casing African art, music, festivals, costume, food and exhibitions culminating in an age-less and deeply moving expo of Africa’s diversity. Praised as ‘the most photographed house in Kenya’, and doubling as a museum and lodge, it is a living documentary and history vault of so much art and originators stories collected from 40 years of travelling in Africa. At first glance, each piece and sculptor appears self-explanatory, yet, collectively, the art takes one on a self-reflecting trip of Africa’s diversity. Art aside, African Heritage House lacks very little in beauty, overlooking Nairobi National Park, Athi Kapiti Plains, and Ngong Hills.
Kenya in home to a growing and vibrant art scene, with several art galleries showcasing diverse works ranging from traditional African art to contemporary pieces. Among the oldest of these is Nairobi Gallery: Located in the heart of Nairobi, this gallery housed in a historic building showcases a collection of Kenyan contemporary and traditional art, including paintings, sculptures, and artifacts.
Index of Art Galleries in Kenya
Embu County - Embu Art Centre, Kajiado County - Kitengela Glass Studio, Kiambu County - Red Hill Art Gallery, Banana Hill Art Gallery, Kilifi County - Ndoro Sculpture Garden, White Elephant Sea & Art Lodge, Lennox Art Gallery, Kisumu County - The Little Art Gallery, Kwale County - Time Out Art Camp, Diani Beach Art Gallery, Almasi Art Agency, Machakos County - African Heritage House, Nairobi County - GoDown Art Centre, Matbronze Art Gallery & Foundry, Bonzo Art Gallery, Circle Art Agency, Kioko Mwitiki Art Gallery, Photizo Art Gallery, Upepe Photography Gallery, Kuona Trust, Shift Eye Studio, Nairobi Gallery, Nyandarua County - Tafaria Castle & Center for the Arts
outlook
Part of the larger Ukambani alongside Kitui and Makueni, Machakos County is a nexus between Maasailand, the coast region, the central highlands, and Nairobi. The northern area of Machakos, being a dormitory zone for the capital of Nairobi and a peri-urban buffer for Kiambu, is developed with useful amenities. Southerly heading the ecology is continually semi-arid and the countryside more desolate.
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Explore Destinations Nearby African Heritage House
A Guide to Machakos County
A Summa Digest of Machakos
About Machakos Way Back When
45 Destinations in Machakos County, arranged as one would visit these - north, south, east then north - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, maps and distance chart:
Makuyu Ridge, Masinga Dam, Seven Forks Circuit, Mwea National Reserve, Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Ol Donyo Sapuk Resort, MacMillan Castle, Fourteen Falls, Yatta Plateau, Kanzalu Range, AIC Kangundo, The Komarock Shrine, Hyena Caves, Kitonga Garden Resort, The Thui Stone, African Heritage House, Athi-Kapiti Conservancy, Kwa Kyelu Wildlife Sanctuary, The Whistling Moran, Stony-Athi, Small World Country Club, Swara Plains Conservancy, Lukenya Hills, Kikao Camping Farm, Lukenya Motocross, Maanzoni Sanctuary, Amazing Kenya Retreat, Chumvi Tamu Camp, Konza Technopolis, Machakos Peoples Park, Masaku Flea and Curio Market, Old Fort of Machakos, Gelian Hotel, Kiima Kimwe, Machakos Golf Course, Mua Hills, Mua Hills Tented Camp, Iveti Forest Reserve, AIC Mumbuni, Kituluni Hill, Kamuthanga Farm, Wamunyu Handicrafts
Know More About Machakos County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Generally speaking, Machakos has a temperate to warm climate with average annual temperatures ranging from 12°C to 27°C. Climate in much of the area is pleasant and similar to that of Nairobi, and finest below the hill ranges. Rain is heaviest in March, April and September.
Machakos County has rather unique topographical map – Hills and a small plateau in the mid area, a large plateau elevated in the south, and isolated hillscape in the north.