Southern Guild

"Give us some background on this place: What is it, exactly, and what are we going to see here?Devoted to locally made design, Southern Guild exhibits everything from jewelry to furniture. It's distinctly African with an emphasis on limited-edition, high-end design. Here, you won't find historic pieces, but rather items produced by some of the country's most exciting designers. That sounds pretty terrific. How’s the space itself?Set in a lofty, glass-fronted space, the gallery is comprised of two sections: a gallery space and a bright shop where you can pick up a range of cool, locally designed items. The curated exhibitions (which are on rotation) are in a small space, so it's a very manageable (i.e. you don't have to dedicate an entire afternoon). Excellent. Back to the art: Can you give us a little more info...like, how to get our own versions of these amazing designs?There's no permanent exhibition, but you'll see works by some of the country's coolest major designers, from wood sculptor Adam Birch to furniture-maker Check Diallo. You can also browse the shelves of the adjoining store and maybe pick up a piece you can't get anywhere else. Yay! Oh, and did you meet anyone on staff? If so, did they make an impression?The space is fairly small—you won't need much hand-holding. If you're in luck, one of the owners—the gallery was founded by a local couple—might be around to chat about the works on display. Perfect. Now, sum it up for us: What—or who—is this place best for?Even if you're not into design, this gallery is so distinctly African that it's worth checking out. It doesn't require a full-day visit, so it's easy to swing by for a few minutes before continuing on with your day." - Mary Holland