The museum contains an exclusive, mainly contemporary collection of South African ceramics that represents the various techniques of making, decorating and firing. This is highly appropriate to Durbanville’s history of having some of the best clay quarries and brickfields in the Western Cape. It was this aspect of Durbanville’s past that inspired the foundation of a Clay Museum, which was the first of it’s kind in South Africa. Maartin Zaalberg was the chairman of the Clay Museum sub-committee who initiated the drive for the Clay Museum. It was officially opened on Sunday 26 October 1986, by the well-known master potter, Esias Bosch.

The museum is not only frequented by adults, but also by school learners doing art projects and needing information on certain artists. The display is continually augmented with new work.

Along with our permanent collection of contemporary and traditional ceramics, the Rust-en-Vrede Clay Museum hosts regular exhibitions in The CUBE.