A selection of artworks from the Permanent Collection exhibited on the first floor of the Main Building showcases a diverse range of styles and media.  The Permanent Collection is devoted exclusively to works produced by South African artists and has a solid foundation of early South African artists, including works by Thomas Baines, J.E.A Volschenk, J.H. Pierneef and W.H. Coetzer. The Museum continues expanding its collection of works by contemporary South African artists.

A contemporary highlight is Willem Boshoff’s Blind Alphabet A, an attraction for sight-impaired visitors that comprises 94 descriptive shapes, with Braille essays; the sculpted pieces are small enough to be picked up and handled by sight-impaired visitors.

A considerable number of works have been acquired through donations and bequests; outstanding among these is a collection of works from the City Council of Bloemfontein.  This collection, which was ceded to Oliewenhuis Art Museum at its inception in 1989, together with artworks from the National Museum’s Permanent Collection, formed the basis of the Permanent Collection.

During 2006, Oliewenhuis Art Museum received a donation from The Haenggi Foundation Incorporated (Basel, Switzerland), comprising 295 artworks produced by South African artists between 1970 and 1990. In 2009 Oliewenhuis received an additional donation consisting of 51 works from Haenggi’s personal collection and four works from the Pelmama Permanent Collection.  These donations represent significant additions to the Art Museum’s collection. The generosity of The Haenggi Foundation Inc. and the financial backing and cooperation of the Department of Arts and Culture made this successful repatriation project possible.