Artists' colonies and refuges

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
©© 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.

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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

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  • Im Haus mit der Veranda befinden sich das Atelier und der Atelierladen - Sie sind hier herzlich willkommen. // © Ute Matthiesen
    ©© Ute Matthiesen

    seamwork.paperart

    • Kirchstraße, 18528 Bergen auf Rügen

    Fine seams in paper - Ute Matthiesen creates paper in the heart of Bergen auf Rügen. Extraordinary art is created at the sewing machine: sewn watercolors and collages as well as exclusive art cards.

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  • © © Kurverwaltung Ahrenshoop · Foto: Andrea Krüger
    ©© © Kurverwaltung Ahrenshoop · Foto: Andrea Krüger

    Painting mill Ahrenshoop

    • Feldweg, 18347 Ahrenshoop

    The "Malwerk" contains the estate of Theodor Schultze-Jaßmer, changing exhibitions of various artists and offers space for creative design.

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  • © Hiddenseer Hafen- und Kurbetrieb
    ©© Hiddenseer Hafen- und Kurbetrieb

    Blue barn

    • Wiesenweg, 18565 Vitte/Hiddensee

    Hall house from the beginning of the 19th century.

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  • Dana Jeschke, porcelain and ceramics // © Silke Voss
    ©© Silke Voss

    Dana Jeschke, porcelain and ceramics

    • Ollendorf, 17237 Grünow

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

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  • Pound pit manor house Rambow Hof

    • Rambow Hof, 17194 Moltzow

    The Pfundgrube Gutshaus Rambow Hof is a treasure trove of culture and nature in the middle of the idyllic landscape of Mecklenburg Switzerland. This excursion destination offers a unique blend of historical significance and cultural diversity, nestled in the small village of Rambow.

    Read more: "Pound pit manor house Rambow Hof"
  • © MV-T, Danny Gohlke
    ©© 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"
  • Willkommen im Poggehaus Zierstorf // © Poggehaus Zierstorf
    ©© Poggehaus Zierstorf

    Zierstorf manor house

    • Poggeweg, 17166 Zierstorf

    The Pogge House is an exhibition place commemorating the life and work of the outstanding representatives of the Pogge family.

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  • Ten Commandments" cycle // © W. Kothe
    ©© W. Kothe

    Glass art in the forge garden at Rattey

    • Rattey, 17349 Schönbeck

    Since 2020, the artist Werner Kothe has been showing his glass art objects in the open space - in the middle of the village, opposite the castle - the exhibition is open all year round.

    Read more: "Glass art in the forge garden at Rattey"
  • © Foto: Striller
    ©© Foto: Striller

    LINDENHAUS - GALLERY OF AVENUES

    • Dorfstraße, 17255 Wustrow

    The GALERIE DER ALLEEN provides an insight into an extensive collection of paintings, drawings and texts on the connection between landscape, perception and culture.

    Read more: "LINDENHAUS - GALLERY OF AVENUES"
  • © MV-T/ Gohlke
    ©© MV-T/ Gohlke

    die kramserei - many good ideas

    • Platz der Jugend, 19288 Klein Krams

    the kramserei - an over 170 year old hall farmhouse in the Griesen area - offers creative freedom in many ways: pottery, candle casting, soap boiling, willow weaving are courses in traditional crafts. In addition, there is a lot to experience live in the hall and on the park-like property.

    Read more: "die kramserei - many good ideas"

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