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 // © MV-T/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.

Content is loaded

back

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

280 results

  • © Agnes Bruhn

    Simply painterly - studio in the country Fleesensee

    • Penkowerstr., 17213 Göhren-Lebbin

    The studio of owner Agnes Bruhn offers exciting and creative courses in addition to free design at a high level of artistic and craft opportunities.

    Read more: "Simply painterly - studio in the country Fleesensee"
  • Außenansicht des Stadtgeschichtlichen Museums Wismar SCHABBELL // © TZ Wismar, Christoph Meyer (paperheroes)

    Museum of the History of the Hanseatic City of Wismar in the Schabbell

    • Open today
    • Schweinsbrücke, 23966 Wismar

    The "Schabbell", one of the earliest Renaissance buildings in the Baltic region, the neighboring building at Schweinsbrücke 6 and the associated courtyards were reopened in December 2017 after extensive and careful renovation and now serve as exhibition and event space for the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Wismar.

    Read more: "Museum of the History of the Hanseatic City of Wismar in the Schabbell"
  • Schnepel Gallery III

    • Weg zum Kiel, 18347 Ostseebad Ahrenshoop

    Focus: old handicrafts in a modern household – the complete riches of bygone cultures representing 15 countries from Morocco to Eastern Europe.

    Read more: "Schnepel Gallery III"
  • Welcome to the studio "JuGeLy" - Whether on a painting weekend or a painting week - here visitors learn step by step how to successfully paint an oil painting // © Atelier "JuGeLy" / Görres

    Studio "JuGeLy

    • Boraustraße, 19374 Domsühl

    In the studio "JuGeLy" a certified painting teacher for the Bob Ross® and Jenkins painting technique awaits you. You can paint landscapes, flowers and animals. Course participants will be shown step by step how to successfully paint an oil painting in one day. A vacation apartment is available for a painting weekend or week.

    Read more: "Studio "JuGeLy"
  • Historical view of Malchow monastery // © Kultur- und Sportring e.V.

    Malchow Monastery Art Museum

    • Open 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"
  • © Julia Gnodtke

    Teterow City Library

    • Closed today
    • Neukalener Straße, 17166 Teterow

    The meeting place for young and old bookworms, culture lovers and art enthusiasts in the Bergringstadt.

    Read more: "Teterow City Library"
  • © MV-T, Danny Gohlke

    World Heritage House Wismar

    • Open today
    • Lübsche Straße, 23966 Hansestadt Wismar

    The Visitor Centre is the third of its kind in Germany after Regensburg and Stralsund. Just in time for the opening of the new exhibition and event venue on World Heritage Day (June 1st, 2014), the prestigious Wallpaper Room and the surrounding panoramic pictures were also restored.

    Read more: "World Heritage House Wismar"
  • Direkt an der Seebrücke in Bansin informiert das "Haus des Gastes" über den Ort. // © MV-T/Klüber

    Tourist Information Bansin

    • Open today
    • An der Seebrücke, 17429 Seebad Bansin

    The Tourist Information Bansin is located in the Haus des Gastes.

    Read more: "Tourist Information Bansin"
  • Artists' quarter Seezeichen

    • Dorfstraße, 18347 Ostseebad Ahrenshoop

    Being located directly behind the dunes the Künstlerquartier Seezeichen ensures exclusive holiday moments in Ahrenshoop.

    Read more: "Artists' quarter Seezeichen"
  • © 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"
  • Kunsthaus am Schifferberg

    • Schifferberg, 18347 Ostseebad Ahrenshoop

    Kunsthaus am Schifferberg

    Read more: "Kunsthaus am Schifferberg"
  • © Silke Winkler

    House of Literature "Uwe Johnson

    • Open today
    • Im Thurow, 23948 Klütz

    The "Uwe Johnson" House of Literature is located in a former granary built around 1890 near Klützer Marktplatz. Over two floors, the exhibition provides a multifaceted insight into the life and work of Uwe Johnson and thus presents the writer who has always remained closely associated with Mecklenburg.

    Read more: "House of Literature "Uwe Johnson"
  • © Südliche Boddenküste

    Pottery Kruse Bodstedt

    • Danckwardtstraße, 18356 Bodstedt

    a wonderful journey into the world of ceramics! It is impressive how Karola Kruse discovered her passion for clay through the rehabilitation program in 1998. Her workshop in Bodstedt seems to be a beautiful place to present her creative works. The newly designed garden sounds like an inviting environment to view and buy the ceramics. It's also great that you create ceramic jewelry and are open to suggestions and orders. If you have any questions or would like to tell me more about your work, I will be happy to help!

    Read more: "Pottery Kruse Bodstedt"
  • © Sylvia Bretschneider

    LuzinTheater

    • OT Wittenhagen, Zansenweg, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft

    Alejandro Quintana and Sylvia Bretschneider opened their LuzinTheater in September 2017. A maximum of 60 spectators can experience professional acting, the amateur theater group "Die Bühnenlichter" and guest performances here. Admission is paid on exit. In summer there is cinema on the last Monday of every month. Admission 4,- €

    Read more: "LuzinTheater"
  • Edvard Munch House

    • Closed today
    • Am Strom, 18119 Rostock-Warnemünde

    The listed building, where the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch had an important creative period in 1907 and 1908, serves as an exhibition space, forum and studio.

    Read more: "Edvard Munch House"
  • Plastic Gallery Castle Church Neustrelitz

    • Open today
    • Hertelstraße, 17235 Neustrelitz

    The neo-Gothic castle church in the residential city is a fascinating exhibition venue for figurative sculpture in summer

    Read more: "Plastic Gallery Castle Church Neustrelitz"
  • © 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"
  • Tastend, hörend und sehend kann man Erstaunliches über Fischadler, Hechte und Gelbrandkäfer in der Nationalpark-Information Boek erfahren // © Nationalparkamt Müritz

    Boek Manor House / National Park Information

    • Temporarily closed
    • Boeker Straße, 17248 Boek

    Accessible exhibition "The fishermen of Boek

    Read more: "Boek Manor House / National Park Information"
  • Außenansicht Künstlerhaus Schloss Plüschow // © Schloss Plüschow

    Plüschow Castle - Mecklenburg House of Artists

    • Am Schlosspark, 23936 Upahl / OT Plüschow

    In 1763, the Hamburg merchant Philipp Heinrich Stenglin had the two-story brick Plüschow Castle built between Wismar and Lübeck. Today the castle is used for many cultural events and invites especially art lovers.

    Read more: "Plüschow Castle - Mecklenburg House of Artists"
  • © 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"
  • © Sabine Oettel

    Laevensart ceramics - Sabine Oettel

    • An der Miela, 17258 Feldberger Seenlandschaft, OT Laeven

    In my workshop you will find handmade ceramics with clear shapes and colors. I mainly produce single vessels and small series, gladly also according to customer wishes. I cordially invite you to see my assortment in my showroom and I will also be happy to answer any questions you may have about my work in the attached workshop.

    Read more: "Laevensart ceramics - Sabine Oettel"
  • B14 Gerhard Marcks Artist House

    • Gerhard-Marcks-Weg, 18347 Ahrenshoop

    Büdnerei B14 is the former home of the famous German sculptor, draftsman and graphic artist Gerhard Marcks.

    Read more: "B14 Gerhard Marcks Artist House"
  • © voigt&kranz UG, Prerow

    Dune House Ahrenshoop

    • Schifferberg, 18347 Ahrenshoop

    The former painting school of Friedrich Wachenhusen (1859-1925) belongs to the Hotel Fischerwiege & Namenlos. Public concerts, readings and cabaret evenings are regularly held here under the paintings of Wachenhusen, who was one of the founders of the Ahrenshooper artists' colony.

    Read more: "Dune House Ahrenshoop"
  • © Kurverwaltung Ahrenshoop/voigt & kranz UG, Prerow

    Kunstkaten Ahrenshoop

    • Strandweg, 18347 Ostseebad Ahrenshoop

    The Ahrenshoop Kunstkaten is an exhibition and events house managed by the Ahrenshoop tourist office and is one of the oldest galleries in Northern Germany. Throughout the year, visitors enjoy the changing exhibitions about the artists’ colony of Ahrenshoop, the subsequent generations of artists, all the way to the art of the present day.

    Read more: "Kunstkaten Ahrenshoop"
  • 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"
  • © Foto: von Levetzow

    Lelkendorf Castle

    • Schlossweg, 17168 Lelkendorf

    Stylishly furnished vacation apartment in the castle with antiques, magnificent view of the castle park, regular cultural events, cozy barbecue area in the park with permanently installed barbecue, spacious entrance hall furnished with seating areas and works of art.

    Read more: "Lelkendorf Castle"
  • Fischlandhaus Wustrow

    • Closed today
    • Neue Straße, 18347 Ostseebad Wustrow

    The Fischlandhaus is a listed high-ceilinged house in Neue Straße.

    Read more: "Fischlandhaus Wustrow"
  • © Kurverwaltung Ahrenshoop

    Old School Gallery

    • Dorfstraße, 18347 Ahrenshoop

    The Galerie Alte Schule showcases works from the portfolio of Ahrenshooper Kunstauktionen GmbH. Changing exhibitions: works from the artists’ colony from the beginning of the 20th century, classical modernism and contemporary art.

    Read more: "Old School Gallery"
  • © Kultur- und Sportring e.V.

    DDR Everyday Life Museum Malchow

    • Open today
    • Kirchenstraße, 17213 Inselstadt Malchow

    The building was inaugurated in 1957 as a "movie palace", but today presents objects from past times.

    Read more: "DDR Everyday Life Museum Malchow"
  • Caps and loops // © Asta Rutzke

    Textile studio Asta Rutzke

    • Gutshofstraße, 18334 Ravenhorst

    Handmade fashion from our own design - timeless, feminine clothing and accessories made from natural fabrics - exclusively as individual pieces or in very small series

    Read more: "Textile studio Asta Rutzke"

Content is loaded

Content is loaded