Since the late 1980s, the Irene Village Market some 40 kilometres north of Joburg has earned wide acclaim both as a superb outdoor shopping venue and as a refreshing escape from the bustle of city life. Such is its acclaim, in fact, that it has been named ‘Best Market in Africa’ by Getaway magazine on numerous occasions.

The market, that is now held at The Big Red Barn, is a gathering of artists and patrons; crafters and collectors; home industries and connoisseurs from far and wide.

Indeed, its stated mission is ‘to provide a marketplace for the artist and home entrepreneur, a forum promoting art and craft.

This mission is taken extremely seriously, which explains why the market only convenes on the first and last Saturday of each month. Artists, it is felt, should not be pressured to mass-produce as this would unavoidably detract from quality.