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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  • Old Synagogue // © Jörn Lehmann
    ©© Jörn Lehmann

    Old Synagogue Hagenow

    • Closed today
    • Hagenstraße, 19230 Hagenow

    The Old Synagogue was built in 1828. Today the restored buildings belong to Hagenow museum now. There are exhibitions taking place in the buildings as well as concerts or lectures.

    Read more: "Old Synagogue Hagenow"
  • © MV-T/Gohlke
    ©© MV-T/Gohlke

    Mill Röbel

    • Am Mühlenberg, 17207 Röbel/Müritz

    Restored Dutch Mill with exhibitions and events

    Read more: "Mill Röbel"
  • © Friedemann Löber
    ©© Friedemann Löber

    Ceramic workshop Friedemann Löber

    • Bernhard-Seitz-Weg, 18347 Ostseebad Ahrenshoop OT Althagen

    Studio and gallery in the thorn house

    Read more: "Ceramic workshop Friedemann Löber"
  • © Hiddenseer Hafen- und Kurbetrieb
    ©© Hiddenseer Hafen- und Kurbetrieb

    Henni Lehman House

    • Wiesenweg, 18565 Vitte/Hiddensee

    House of the guest

    Read more: "Henni Lehman House"
  • © Wiebke Hörring
    ©© Wiebke Hörring

    Children Youth Art House Güstrow

    • Baustraße, 18273 Güstrow

    We show seen and invented from all workshops: painting, graphics, textiles and objects. Figures in the variety of their shape testify to the imagination of the children and young people. The exhibition encourages participation - material is ready.

    Read more: "Children Youth Art House Güstrow"

  • Rhythmusreich sculpture collection

    • Alte Wassermühle, 18513 Müggenwalde

    Experience art and jazz in the old watermill Müggenwalde

    Read more: "Rhythmusreich sculpture collection"
  • The PAHLHUUS is the information center of the Biosphere Reserve Schaalsee // © PAHLHUUS/Dornblut
    ©© PAHLHUUS/Dornblut

    “PAHLHUUS“ – Visitor centre of the UNESCO biosphere reserve “Schaalsee“

    • Open today
    • Wittenburger Chaussee, 19246 Zarrentin am Schaalsee

    Welcome to the PAHLHUUS, the visitor centre of the UNESCO biosphere reserve „Schaalsee“. We are happy to inform you about touristic offers and show you the most beautiful places in the biosphere reserve. Extraordinary insights into nature and landscape of the region await you in an interactive exhibition.

    Read more: "“PAHLHUUS“ – Visitor centre of the UNESCO biosphere reserve “Schaalsee“"

  • Image & Frame Straw

    • Open today
    • Fischerstraße, 18311 Ribnitz-Damgarten

    in Ribnitz-Damgarten

    Read more: "Image & Frame Straw"
  • © TZ Südliche Boddenküste
    ©© 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"
  • © TZ Südliche Boddenküste
    ©© TZ Südliche Boddenküste

    Natural Soap Manufactory Kückenshagen

    • Zum Deich, 18317 Kückenshagen

    I produce the finest natural soaps in my small manufactory in idyllic Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

    Read more: "Natural Soap Manufactory Kückenshagen"

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