Tucked away in Lusaka's Agora Village, The Space is more than just a venue—it's a chameleon-like canvas for the city's creative pulse. Born from a post-pandemic need for physical connection, this minimalist hall transforms from a poignant art exhibition to a vibrant fashion runway, an intimate book launch, or a mixology lab.
"Hi, Jo. You look a little lost."
I was fixated on the scene before me. The works of four creatives are on display in a pop-up gallery. Arriving at Agora Village, I wasn't sure exactly which direction to go, but something told me to walk straight ahead. Then I heard live music in the distance and decided to follow it, as if led by the Pied Piper. I saw people milling around, chatting with wine glasses in hand—some browsed prints of art pieces and photographs. The band was on one side and the exhibition space on the other.
I wasn't lost. I had found what I was looking for, a small but impactful spot simply named The Space.
The person who greeted me was my friend Kalenga Nkonge, perhaps better known as Bonkoti, a skilled photographer with a knack for capturing the essence of life in Lusaka, showcasing everything from markets to barbershops to street portraits. He was one of the artists whose work was on display along with Natasha Evans, Anita Reed and Ryan Green. The exhibition theme was Fallen and Found, and each artist was free to interpret it as they saw fit.
After topping up our wine glasses, Kalenga took me through the work of the three other artists, concluding with his own photographs. He interpreted the exhibition theme through a religious lens. A picture of a boy standing across from a Lusaka church, the building obscured by a passing truck, with only a cross visible above it. Or a concrete platform at a Lusaka market that reminds Kalenga of an altar. As we continued exploring, the crowd grew and the hum of conversation got louder. The first red dots appeared, those quiet markers of a sale at an exhibition.
In addition to regular guests like me and some familiar faces I have spotted at other art events, I noticed ambassadors and business titans. A mixed crowd drawn to this event.
The Space is small, but the size is ideal, adding to intimacy. The Space is also adaptable. That night, it played host to an art exhibition; a week later, it hosted a fashion show by The House of Vo (their third showcase at The Space).
More Than a Gallery: The Genesis of The Space
But The Space's appeal extends beyond individual events. What struck me most, as I wandered through the light-filled interiors, was how thoughtfully The Space was conceived. It emerged from a need that became clear following the COVID-19 pandemic. Many creatives and small brands had built followings online but lacked a physical place where people could engage with their work in person. Traditional retail spaces were either too expensive, too permanent, or simply unavailable for short-term use. The Space, tucked within Agora Village off Addis Ababa Drive, filled that gap, offering a neutral canvas where artists, designers, wellness advocates, and authors could bring their ideas to life.
There's no furniture here as a rule, just essential gallery rails and occasional modular installations, leaving each event free to shape its own mood. One evening, it can feel like a contemporary art gallery; the next, a runway; the next, a venue for intimate talks on health or literature. Visitors experience this flow without ever feeling confined; the blankness invites imagination and ensures every event feels different.
Freedom for Creatives: No Commissions, Full Control
Beyond flexibility, The Space provides unusual freedom for its occupants. Artists and entrepreneurs retain all the proceeds from their sales, without the commission cuts common in conventional galleries. They can bring in their own wine, curate their own playlists, and craft experiences that reflect their brands. There's a palpable sense that here, you are trusted to explore your own vision, and the environment is built to support it. Even the marketing, from social media promotion to curated guest lists, works in concert with the events, so that each gathering feels both intimate and widely anticipated.
This openness has allowed The Space to host an extraordinary variety of events. Art exhibitions are common, but the venue has also staged fashion shows, health and wellness talks, and book launches. Upcoming sessions on men's health promise candid conversations set against casual atmospheres of beer, burgers, and conversation. There have even been high-end evenings featuring international DJs and mixology experiments using Zambian ingredients.
The Agora Village Ecosystem: Collaboration is Key
All of this occurs within the broader context of Agora Village itself. Unlike a standard mall, Agora Village is made up of anchor stores that are destinations in their own right. Most stores are proudly Zambian. Each one brings something unique.
There's cohesion without conformity; every element feels deliberate but never forced. The wine at the art exhibition was provided by Vino Di Lusso, a wine and cheese store steps away from The Space. One of the most popular events was a joint book launch by writers Mulenga Kapwepwe and Natasha Omokhodion, held in collaboration with The Collective, a store at Agora that stocks both authors' books. Agora Village has a self-sustaining ecosystem. What makes The Space thrive is the collaborations possible with other establishments.
Another hugely popular event, run by Maison Studio, included candle-making, pottery painting, cake decorating, and live model drawing. Tickets sold out at lightning speed, and it's slated to become a regular event. As I prepared to leave, having stayed much longer than planned, I found myself already looking forward to the following week's fashion show.
The Space encourages visitors to linger, observe, and participate, while offering creatives freedom to experiment, sell, and connect with audiences. It strikes a balance between spontaneity and structure, intimacy and visibility, and creativity and commerce. The Space and Agora Village are firmly local but cosmopolitan.
The Space, ever-evolving, is not just a venue. It's a mirror of Lusaka's creative life, a place where imagination roams freely, and where visitors and creators alike walk away inspired and eager to return.
Contact Details:
- email: marketing@theagoravillage.com
- Instagram: @thespace.agoravillage
- Facebook: The Space Agora Village
