Nieu Bethesda, a very small town in the Eastern Cape, is home to the Owl House. This tourist attraction features the Karoo cottage of Helen Martin who transformed her home and garden with her glass and concrete artwork during the last 20 or so years of her life. She hired local workmen to assist her with the colorful, whimsical project. In the mid 1970s she committed suicide at age 78 by swallowing caustic acid after suffering from crippling arthritis and failing eyesight.

Martin focused on bright colors and light for the interior of her home. Finely ground glass covers the painted walls, ceilings, and doors. And she laid broken glass in parts of the concrete floors. She loved owls and we saw a several ceramic owl plates, mugs, and vases on the tables and display shelves. She had either purchased or been given those bird-themed items.

She named her garden the Camel Yard because so many of her large sculptures featured the ungulates. Many of her owl creations also decorate the yard.