The unspoiled nature, the turbulent Baltic Sea, the special light - for centuries, artists have found wonderful sources of inspiration in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Caspar David Friedrich and Philipp Otto Runge created their world-famous masterpieces here. The artists' colonies in Ahrenshoop, Schwaan and on the island of Hiddensee show unique works by formative artists of the region as well as contemporary works. Art halls and galleries offer changing exhibitions of nationally and internationally renowned sculptors, photographers and painters.

Exhibition at the Museum Ahrenshoop, © TMV/Roth

Between Baltic Sea and Bodden: Artists' Colony Ahrenshoop

The artists' colony of Ahrenshoop is located on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula. The extensive landscape between the Baltic Sea and the Bodden, the alternating cliffs and dunes and especially the unique light conditions attracted the first landscape painters to the coast at the end of the 19th century. The painter Paul Müller-Kaempff, who opened the first painting school in the village in 1894, is considered the founder of the colony. He was followed by many other artists as well as their friends and families, whereby the former fishing village simultaneously developed into a Baltic seaside resort.

Even today Ahrenshoop is a meeting place for artists and art lovers. In numerous exhibition houses and studios, the art historical development of the artists' colony can be traced from its founding to the present. These include, for example, the Ahrenshoop Art Museum, which opened in 2013, the Kunstkaten and the Künstlerhaus Lukas.

Peace and seclusion on the artists' island of Hiddensee

Hiddensee has been considered an artists' colony since the beginning of the 20th century. Far from big-city civilization, artists spend the summer months on the island or settle there completely. The foundation stone of the community was laid by the painter Oskar Kruse-Lietzenburg, whose "Lietzenburg", built in 1904, became an artists' meeting place for painters, writers and actors. After his death, the sculptor Max Kruse and his wife, the doll maker Käthe Kruse, continued this tradition. The painters Henni Lehmann and Clara Arnheim founded the Hiddensoer Künstlerinnenbund in 1919. Their studio and exhibition rooms are located in the blue barn, where their works are exhibited again today. Among the many prominent guests of the island are also the actress Asta Nielsen, painter and sculptor Käthe Kollwitz and the writer Gerhart Hauptman.

If you want to get an impression of the cultural development of Hiddensee, it is worth visiting some other galleries and exhibitions besides the blue barn. Open for guests are, for example, the Gerhart Hauptmann House, the Museum of Local History, the Henni Lehmann House and the Asta Nielsen House.

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Nature studies in Schwaan

But it was not only on the coast that artists gathered to immortalize the unique nature of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in their works. At the end of the 19th century, a colony of artists also emerged in the small farming town of Schwaan, south of Rostock. Local painters came together here to study the natural landscape around the tranquil little town and capture it in their paintings. The founder of the colony is the Schwaan-born painter Franz Bunke, who studied and later taught at the Weimar School of Painting. Rudolf Bartels, Peter Paul Draewing and Alfred Heinsohn also belonged to the core of the artist community.

Today, their works are exhibited in the Kunstmuseum Schwaan in the building of the former watermill. The house where Franz Bunke was born can also be visited. If you would like to see the original locations of the works, the artist trails are the right place to go: Three cycling and hiking trails lead past them starting from the art museum.

Galleries and art studios

Places of art and inspiration in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

276 results

  • Adventure playground, © minimare

    minimare discovery park at the Baltic Sea

    • Neue Reihe, 23942 Kalkhorst

    The minimare makes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's history tangible and invites you on a family-friendly and adventurous journey through time.

    Read more: "minimare discovery park at the Baltic Sea"
  • © Gina Schulenberg

    Waterworks of the future Malchin

    • Turnplatz, 17139 Malchin

    The "Waterworks of the Future" in Malchin combines historical architecture with modern ideas for environmental education and sustainable water protection. It serves as a place for exchange, workshops and cultural events.

    Read more: "Waterworks of the future Malchin"
  • Schwaan Art Museum

    • Closed today
    • Mühlenstraße, 18258 Schwaan

    The art museum in the Kunstmühle dedicates its exhibition and collection activities to the painters of the Schwaan artists' colony. In addition to its own collection, changing exhibitions are shown. These tie in with the works of the Schwaan painters and place them in a new context.

    Read more: "Schwaan Art Museum"
  • © Domenik Jante

    Village studio Jante

    • Lindenallee, 19288 Warlow

    In the courtyard gallery are shown new and old oil paintings and pencil drawings, the everyday scenarios and still lifes.

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  • © Irene Sohler

    Studio Irene Sohler

    • OT Fürstenwerder, Blockstr., 17291 Nordwestuckermark

    - Landscape - Interior - Still life - Figure - Please book a visit

    Read more: "Studio Irene Sohler"
  • Dana Jeschke, porcelain and ceramics

    • Ollendorf, 17237 Grünow

    Dana Jeschke's porcelain and ceramic objects look like sea creatures, shells and corals.

    Read more: "Dana Jeschke, porcelain and ceramics"
  • © Foto: J. Lehmmann, Stiftung Mecklenburg

    Permanent exhibition "Mecklenburg - so far, so near" of the Mecklenburg Foundation

    • Closed today
    • Puschkinstraße, 19055 Schwerin

    The Mecklenburg Foundation preserves and tells the history and culture of Mecklenburg!

    Read more: "Permanent exhibition "Mecklenburg - so far, so near" of the Mecklenburg Foundation"
  • © Kulturbörse Gnoien

    Cultural Exchange Gnoien

    • Teterower Str., 17179 Gnoien

    In the Kulturbörse - a house for the whole family - children, young people and adults can educate themselves socially and culturally.

    Read more: "Cultural Exchange Gnoien"
  • © M. Cremer

    Studio Café Sembzin

    • Dorfanger, 17192 Klink OT Sembzin

    In the picturesque ambience of the Atelier Café in Sembzin you can enjoy coffee and tea specialties, as well as tasty cakes and tartes surrounded by art and design.

    Read more: "Studio Café Sembzin"
  • Experience art in a historic farmhouse, © Olaf Hoppe

    House Hoppe - Studio for visual arts

    • Zum Breitling, 23974 Stove

    Gallery with original art painting & graphics - Workshop with historical letterpress for the production of woodcuts - Demonstration of woodblock printing technique (original color woodblock prints from up to 12 woodblocks)

    Read more: "House Hoppe - Studio for visual arts"
  • © Paul Torsten Hahn

    Smallest gallery in Western Pomerania

    • Zum Kanal, 17111 Volksdorf

    The gallery offers children and young people from the surrounding area in particular a platform to make their voices heard, strengthen their place in the community and support the fun of creating. In certain formats, such as exhibitions and workshops, vacation guests from nearby can also come into contact with the young artists. Who knows, maybe this will lead to creative art sponsorships?

    Read more: "Smallest gallery in Western Pomerania"
  • © Kultur- und Sportring e.V.

    Malchow Monastery Art Museum

    • Closed today
    • Kloster, 17213 Malchow

    The Malchow Monastery Art Museum is located in historically renovated rooms where works of art are presented in their uniqueness. The history of regional artists becomes a tangible experience.

    Read more: "Malchow Monastery Art Museum"
  • © Kulturmühle Benz e.V.

    Dutch Windmill Benz

    • Mühlenweg, 17429 Benz

    Historic Dutch windmill (built in 1821) with largely preserved and intact interior. The path from grain to flour and other grain products can be traced using the old machinery. In the bakehouse hikers and visitors find the ideal resting place with coffee and cake. In the cellar of the mill there is an exhibition with reproductions of paintings by Lyonel Feininger showing motifs from Benz and Neppermin. From the mill you have a magnificent view over the "Usedom Switzerland".

    Read more: "Dutch Windmill Benz"
  • Colorful parlor

    • Dorfstraße, 18347 Ahrenshoop

    The house has had a fine arrangement of regional literature for over 90 years, a cultural meeting place for artists and fans of art.

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  • © Sphinx ET

    Manor house Diedrichshof

    • Diedrichshof, 18249 Warnow

    Between Hamburg and Berlin, on the edge of the Sternberg lake district, surrounded by beech forests, fields and lakes, far away from the urban hustle and bustle, lies the Diedrichshof manor house.

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  • © Gudrun Koch

    Pomeranian State Museum

    • Closed today
    • Rakower Str., 17489 Greifswald

    14,000 years of eventful history on the southern Baltic coast on both sides of the Oder are presented between the former Franciscan church and the city wall - in an award-winning ensemble of buildings that impressively combines Gothic, classicist and contemporary architecture. The valuable collection of paintings presents works by renowned painters such as Caspar David Friedrich, Frans Hals, Philipp Otto Runge, Max Liebermann, Max Pechstein and Vincent van Gogh.

    Read more: "Pomeranian State Museum"
  • Ummanz information

    • Neue Straße, 18569 Waase

    Welcome to Ummanz, the quiet sister of Rügen. As a contact point for guests, visitors and locals, the Ummanz-Info offers all important information from A like eating eels to S like surfing and Z like togetherness. Plan your varied days or book your accommodation. We are looking forward to seeing you!

    Read more: "Ummanz information"
  • © Hiddenseer Hafen- und Kurbetrieb

    Sexton's house - Gallery at the archway

    • Am Klostertor, 18565 Kloster

    It was reconstructed from the old school and sexton's house to become the winter church and parish hall of the monastery.

    Read more: "Sexton's house - Gallery at the archway"
  • © Alte Weberei Ahrenshoop

    Old weaving mill Ahrenshoop

    • Weg zum Hohen Ufer, 18347 Ahrenshoop

    The seminar and event house Alte Weberei Ahrenshoop integrates the anthroposophical tradition of the hand weaving mill Ita Rost after ecological remodeling. Seminars, courses, concerts and other events take place in the hall.

    Read more: "Old weaving mill Ahrenshoop"
  • © TZ Südliche Boddenküste

    Painting school Elsenhans

    • Waldstrasse, 18314 Kronsberg

    Painting school, sales exhibition of originals, art prints, various cards, author, gold and silversmith, Reiki master/teacher - Painting lessons for beginners and advanced - for adults and children - Various techniques and styles - In the gallery you will find originals, art prints, various cards and photographs

    Read more: "Painting school Elsenhans"
  • © Alte Kachelofenfabrik

    Old tiled stove factory

    • Sandberg, 17235 Neustrelitz

    For 25 years, the Alte Kachelofenfabrik has combined culture, gastronomy, eco-hotel, eco-holiday homes and guesthouse under one roof and is a welcome place for creative people, cineastes, locals and vacationers alike. Our motto: "Nature by day - culture in the evening".

    Read more: "Old tiled stove factory"
  • Wildlife Usedom tiger, © H. Böhm / trassenheide.de

    Wildlife Usedom

    • Open today
    • Wiesenweg, 17449 Trassenheide

    Wildlife Usedom is the innovative nature experience for the whole family. Our friendly team welcomes all guests on a tour through the landscapes of the five continents.

    Read more: "Wildlife Usedom"
  • © Thomas Heimlich

    Gallery on the hill

    • Hügelweg, 18565 Kloster

    June 25 to the end of October 2020 Open Monday to Friday from 11-18

    Read more: "Gallery on the hill"
  • © S. Bergander

    Rostock City Hall

    • Südring, 18059 Rostock

    The adventure arena in the north - built and completely modernized as a multifunctional event venue, the StadtHalle Rostock has been hosting conferences and congresses, shows and concerts, sporting events and television productions, balls and banquets for over three decades.

    Read more: "Rostock City Hall"
  • © Foto-Hübner, Wustrow (umfassende Nutzungsrechte beim Ahrenshooper Hof vorhanden)

    Romantikhotel Namenlos & Fischerwiege

    • Dorfstraße, 18347 Ahrenshoop

    Romantik Hotel Namenlos & Fischerwiege in Ahrenshoop Between the Baltic Sea and the Bodden, in the artists' village of Ahrenshoop, lies the Romantik Hotel Namenlos & Fischerwiege - an ensemble of five characterful houses that reflect the charm of the region in a special way. Thatched roofs, lovingly designed details and an atmosphere of peace and comfort make this place a refuge for connoisseurs and individualists.

    Read more: "Romantikhotel Namenlos & Fischerwiege"
  • © Kunsthalle Rostock

    Rostock Art Gallery

    • Closed today
    • Hamburger Straße, 18069 Rostock

    The Kunsthalle Rostock shows exhibitions of contemporary art and modern classics. The listed building (1969) houses a collection of graphic sheets, paintings and sculptures, especially pieces of the region and East German art.

    Read more: "Rostock Art Gallery"
  • © VMO, Siekmann

    Ship in a bottle museum

    • Ostseeallee, 23946 Ostseebad Boltenhagen

    The private collection with the exhibition "Seafaring is distress" shows many ships in bottles, ship models, a miniature planetarium, old maritime equipment and flotsam and jetsam.

    Read more: "Ship in a bottle museum"
  • © TZ Wismar, Alexander Rudolph

    Tree house

    • Alter Hafen, 23966 Wismar

    The tree house is a baroque building from the middle of the 18th century. The building with the two Swedish heads in front of the portal takes its name from the turnpike that used to be here.

    Read more: "Tree house"
  • HEART guitars & more - Plucked string instrument maker Florian Hellweg

    • Lange Straße, 18195 Tessin

    HEART guitars & more is a custom store for plucked instruments based in Tessin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

    Read more: "HEART guitars & more - Plucked string instrument maker Florian Hellweg"
  • © TDG Rechlin mbH

    Boek Manor House

    • Temporarily closed
    • Boeker Straße, 17248 Boek

    The Boek manor house was built in the first half of the 19th century as a two-storey plaster building with 13 axes and a central risalit. The history of the estate is marked by numerous changes of ownership. The National Park Ticket buses stop in Boek directly in front of the manor house. Before it was taken over by the German air force in 1935, it was owned by the Le Fort family.

    Read more: "Boek Manor House"

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