Hands-on art, creative workshops, and a varied stage program: The first Open Art Festival drew around 750 visitors to the grounds of the Struwwelpeter Youth and Cultural Center last weekend. For two days, people painted, created, made music, and discussed—with the goal of making art accessible to everyone.

Art for Everyone

The festival was organized by the OpenArtGroup—five young people from Kronach who met through the art community at the Lucas Cranach Campus. A shared idea gave rise to a festival that brought people of all ages together and allowed them to experience art in a variety of ways.

The centerpiece was a large group exhibition featuring works by regional artists as well as pieces from the art workshops held earlier. Visitors were able to discover the diversity of the regional art scene, engage in conversation with the exhibitors, and draw inspiration from a wide variety of artistic styles.

The fact that the concept was a success was evident not only in the number of visitors but also in the special atmosphere at the festival grounds. Natascha Christmann from the Struwwelpeter Youth and Cultural Center, on whose grounds the festival took place, summed it up: “Starting with the idea and vision that the Struwwelpeter Kronach would be a great location for art, the OpenArtGroup immediately set to work and brought this fantastic festival to life. It has become a festival of art, music, diversity, community, and so much more. Please, let’s have lots more of this!”

Creativity to Try Out

Particularly popular were the numerous hands-on activities that invited visitors to participate. From urban sketching, oil painting, and jewelry design to crocheting, welding, plasma cutting, and experimental formats like Fluid Textures or Monte Cielo, there was something for every age and skill level. Due to high demand, some of the Saturday workshops were offered again on Sunday—much to the delight of the visitors.

The program was complemented by live music, performance art, open-mic sessions, yoga, and the “Werk.Raum” hands-on activity offered by the Museum of the German Toy Industry in Neustadt near Coburg. The diverse lineup created a lively and welcoming festival atmosphere on both days, encouraging people to get creative, try new things, and strike up conversations with one another.

Visitor, exhibitor, and volunteer Andrea Lieb was also thrilled: “My takeaway from the Open Art Festival: a wonderful, laid-back atmosphere; interesting hands-on workshops for participation and experimentation; a great glimpse into Kronach’s diverse and vibrant art scene; and, above all, smiling, relaxed faces among people of all ages. Pure joy of life.”

An Idea That Took Root at the Lucas Cranach Campus

The Open Art Festival has its origins in the art community at the Lucas Cranach Campus. Since 2025, artists, creatives, and art enthusiasts have been meeting regularly there at the FabLab to work on projects together, exchange ideas, and develop new concepts. From this community emerged the OpenArtGroup, which organized the festival through a great deal of volunteer effort. The project was supported by the European Solidarity Corps of the European Union.

Pascal Förtsch, a volunteer and exhibitor, describes just how much the festival brought people together: “I experienced the Open Art Festival as a place where different people came together—but all with one great passion: art. Art is and can be so diverse, and the festival simply reflected that one-to-one.” 

The Open Art Festival is a striking example of what can be achieved when people work together to bring their ideas to life. What began as an initiative on the Lucas Cranach Campus has grown into a cultural highlight for the entire region.