Cape Town emerging artists shine at Comic Con Cape Town. The Mother City’s creative talent was on full display at this year’s Comic Con Cape Town 2026, where 10 emerging artists showcased their work to thousands of visitors this past weekend.

Cape Town emerging artists shine at Comic Con

Supported by the City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department, the artists formed part of the Emerging Artist exhibition in Artist Alley. They each hosted their own booth to present original work, build their brands, and connect directly with fans and collectors. The participating artists completed a training programme ahead of Comic Con, which helped them prepare their work for exhibition. The programme included workshops, mentorship, and hands-on preparation. This focused on presentation, audience engagement, and commercial viability.

Emerging artists at Comic Con Cape Town

The Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, says emerging artists bring fresh ideas and new energy to Cape Town’s creative sector. She says through this programme, they are helping artists build their skills, showcase their work, and connect with new audiences. The City is proud to support these artists and invest in the future of art, while fostering creativity and innovation. The Emerging Artists Programme not only provides a platform for young and new artists to grow, but also gives them a stage to show off their talent to an international audience.

Mural Meet Up Sessions in Cape Town

Artists were selected from three Mural Meet Up Sessions, held in public spaces across the City. The Mural Meet Ups were designed to attract a wide and diverse range of artists and creatives working across disciplines. Selected artists then participated in a one-month training and development programme which included workshops, mentorship and hands-on preparation, supporting participants to develop their artworks into products, strengthen their presentation skills, and engage confidently with the public.

Supporting training and skills development

Participating artists were further assisted by facilitators Clyde Beech and Robin Moodley, in preparation for Comic Con, through the review of their artwork, focused feedback and ongoing support.

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The Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says events such as Comic Con play a critical role in supporting training and skills development across a range of industries. These events also open doors for diverse communities by providing exposure, networking opportunities and pathways into creative and commercial sectors that may otherwise be difficult to access.”

The 10 emerging artists

This year’s emerging artists cohort at Comic Con included several multi-disciplinary creatives, mural and digital artists, illustrators, and some specialising in comics, anime and manga.

Malik Fredericks from Woodstock
Darney Marks from Mitchells Plain
Gabriela Valerio from Brooklyn
Kyle Murphy from Athlone
Logan Nathan from Kuils River
Sachin Parbhoo from Plumstead
Shadley Davids from Kensington
Simbarashe Machona from Blackheath
Thurston Jacobs from Kraaifontein
Bhongoletu Maholwana from Gugulethu