From an art festival by bike to inspiring reading material: our best tips for an artistic summer
Exhibitiontip: Verkleurmannetje in Museum Dr. Guislain (Ghent)
Ward is the driving force behind our magazine Kunstletters. Now that he’s been working hard over the past few months on a completely new version of the magazine, it’s high time for a vacation. Not that that will keep him away from museums. He recommends an exhibition in Ghent: “Verkleurmannetje is Afrikaans for chameleon and also the title of an exhibition running this summer at the Museum Dr. Guislain. South African art photographer Roger Ballen has been exhibiting there for a while and, in this special exhibition, explores the museum’s art collection. He combines his own photographic work with historical objects and artworks from the museum’s collection, all centered on the theme of the human figure.”
DIY Tip: Homemade Gel Plates and Exploring Blueprints
Anyone who subscribes to our newsletter receives regular emails from Sarah. For those who are skeptical: yes, Sarah really does exist. And she really does write those newsletters. What’s more, she’ll soon be launching a new series called Veldwerk, where she’ll take you on a tour of the most delightful sketching spots this fall. Until then, she’s getting creative herself: “I’d really love to make my own gelli plates, which you can use to create beautiful monotypes. My Instagram feed is full of them—time to try making them myself. But I think that might be hard to do on a hot summer day. If it gets too hot this summer, I’ll probably focus on making blueprints instead.”
Recommended Reading: How to Live an Artful Life by Katy Hessel
“Atelier in beeld 2027 still sounds very far away. Yet my colleague Magalie is already deep into preparations for the new edition, which will take place on May 1 and 2, 2027. Summer is a time to take a step back: “With the heat, my thoughts sometimes slow down a bit, and a dip in the pool is more tempting than diving into my sketchbooks. On days like these, I like to draw inspiration from the ideas of other artists.
That’s how I discovered the book How to Live an Artful Life by Katy Hessel. Hessel is a London-based art historian and curator who focuses on the role of women throughout art history. For every day of the year, the book offers a quote, insight, essay, or reflection. The voices featured include artists like Tracey Emin, Alice Neel, and Audre Lorde—mostly women, in other words. It provides me with inspiration from voices that haven’t always been able to be heard loud and clear: for that reason alone, this book deserves a spot in my vacation bag. My plan is to use the book as a calendar all summer long, with a refreshing new thought for every day."
Exhibitiontip: SPOOR Arts Festival
"Our Gift Shop exhibition in Genk is, of course, one you won’t want to miss. Zoë, our Kunstwerkt colleague who’s overseeing the “Welcome Party for Extraterrestrial Life” from start to finish, recommends not only Gift Shop but also an exhibition on the other side of the country. And it’s one not too far from her own hometown: “In the summer, you’ve got to get outside! You’ll experience my tip by bike. The monotonous route I used to ‘have to’ bike as a child, SPOOR is transforming this summer into an 18-kilometer open-air trail that keeps you motivated. Every now and then, you’ll come across a piece of art, right in the middle of this unique landscape.”
Recommended Reading: Pleasant Place magazine
At Kunstwerkt, Marianne focuses on internationalization and looks outward for exciting collaborations beyond our national borders. This summer, she’s keeping things more local: “It’s time to roll up my sleeves and get to work in my community garden. In addition to vegetables, I also enjoy growing edible flowers and herbs. During a workshop, I discovered that you can make delicious capers from nasturtium seeds—something I definitely want to try this summer.
My fascination with nasturtiums took on an extra dimension thanks to Pleasant Place, an artistic magazine entirely dedicated to gardening. Through encounters between artists and experts, each topic is unraveled layer by layer. The second issue is entirely devoted to the nasturtium. Dive into the delightful stories surrounding this plant: from botanical history and fun facts to experimental recipes. A plant that grows in the vegetable garden as well as appearing in still lifes by Claude Monet and Henri Matisse, and hangs in long garlands of up to six meters from museum balconies every spring."
Activity Tip: A Vacation Sketchbook Like Philippine d'Otreppe’s
During the workweek, you’ll find Lynne managing the Kunstwerkt website and social media; this summer, she plans to temporarily put her laptop away: “I’ve been neglecting my sketchbook quite a bit these past few weeks. So it’s time to change that.” Inspired by Philippine d’Otreppe’s Coco Samba exhibition at EDJI Gallery, I want to keep a sketchbook in my bag all summer long to capture sunny scenes. Philippine keeps beautiful, illustrated travel journals: she documented her time in Rio de Janeiro through colorful sketches, which she’s now presenting as a full exhibition at EDJI. She doesn’t just display paintings—she transforms the gallery into a real Brazilian beach. Go check it out, and don’t forget your sketchbook to document your trip through Brussels.