English
Internationale Schildersweek "In het licht van Walcheren"
We welcome you to the website of the “Internationale Schildersweek - In het licht van Walcheren" (international Art Week “In the light of Walcheren”), of which the 9th edition will take place in the Dutch seaside town of Domburg from 12-19 May 2012.
Our foundation, the Stichting Art & Performance, has been organizing the Schildersweek on an annual basis since 2003. Every year we invite around thirty professional artists from all over the world to come to Domburg and spend the week around Ascension Day together, to be inspired by the surroundings and by each other, and to create art.
In a sense, the roots of the Schildersweek go back to the late-19th and early-20th century, the crucial period in the history of Domburg, when the town became a sea side resort as well as an artist colony.
You will find the program of the Schildersweek at the bottom of this page.
The Art of Domburg
In the final decades of the 19th century, the quiet town of Domburg changed forever, mainly through the efforts of the internationally famous Dr. Johan Georg Mezger of Amsterdam. Mezger, being a promoter of the beneficial effects of sea water and salty air, decided that Domburg was the perfect place to establish a health spa. He had a wide circle of famous patients, and when he ‘set up shop’ in Domburg, the rich and famous soon started to follow him. In 1888, the small pavilion which had been built on top of the dunes was replaced by the current “Badpaviljoen”, and several prosperous European families had large villas erected in the surrounding dunes. Most of these majestic buildings disappeared during the Second World War, but a few, among which the Badpaviljoen and the adjacent Villa Carmen Silva, survived to this day.
In the slipstream of European nobility and wealthy patricians, artists started to arrive. Around the turn of the century, many artists spent their summers in Domburg - and painted there. Many paintings were produced, depicting Domburg, its surroundings, the typical beach views with the rows of wooden poles designed to break the waves, and the people of Walcheren. After a century, these pictures still remind us of the period in which Domburg’s artist colony flourished. Many of the artists who were part of the ‘Domburg set’ became internationally famous. Piet Mondriaan and Jan Toorop are two of the most obvious examples. The great American painter Whistler also visited Domburg (and painted there) during his stay in the Netherlands. On 17 August 1900, Whistler reportedly described Domburg to his biographers, as "a wonderful little place, just beginning to be known but not yet exploited". And that is exactly what we understand it was, back then.
The artists were not just attracted by the wealthy public (a potential source of income), they were also attracted by the peaceful atmosphere, the unspoiled surroundings, the sea, and perhaps more than anything by the famous light of Domburg. The quaint little town of Domburg is now a seaside resort and its population multiplies during summer, but somehow Domburg has managed to preserve much of the old, laidback atmosphere - as winter guests will confirm. The other good news is that our famous light is still there, as brilliant as ever.
Our foundation aims at stimulating today’s artists to come and experience the magic of today’s Domburg, and by doing so, to help us restore and preserve the stimulating spirit of the artist colony that contributed so much to the fame of this beautiful place.
The Event
Each year, we invite around thirty professional painters and photographers from all over the world to come to Domburg, and spend a week there inspiring each other and showing the fruits of their talent to the public.
The artists are encouraged to be visible, during the week, and although we do provide facilities for them to work inside if needed or preferred (several temporary studios are set up), we encourage participants to go outside as much as possible, experience what this famous light really is about, enjoy the fresh air, get inspired while working on the beach, in the dunes or in the streets of Domburg, or perhaps in the beautiful quiet woodland behind the dunes, between Domburg and Oostkapelle (“De Manteling van Walcheren”).
On Ascension Day, we traditionally organize an event specifically aimed at the public. Throughout the centre of Domburg, artists will be painting portraits, town scenes, a few will be paining beach cabin doors (which will actually be used), while others will let themselves be inspired on the spot by live music. This relatively new element, called ‘Music Inspired Art’, has proven to be a great success both with the artists and the public. This is always a very lively day, which draws quite a crowd.
Crucial to us is that during the Schildersweek, the participants are offered the opportunity to let themselves be inspired by the exciting environment where they spend the week, an environment which to many of the artists is completely new. Not to all of them though - over the years, quite a few participants have become regulars. All ‘our’ artists have at least two things in common, their love of art and the suitcase full of experiences and memories which they take back home.
At the end of the Schildersweek, the work produced by the participants will be exhibited and offered for sale at the Duingalerie in Domburg (Badhuisweg 2) and, for the first two days, at the Badpaviljoen (main hall). The exhibition will be opened officially on Saturday, May 19th, 2012.
On Saturday, August 4th, 2012, an auction will be held, where some of the paintings and photographs which have not already been sold during the summer exhibition will be auctioned.
In line with our policy to bring the artists and the public together as much as possible, we do not sell tickets for anything, except for the concert on Friday night. All other events which are open to the public are freely accessible. Our activities are partly funded out of a share in the proceeds from sales made, and crucial part is generated through sponsoring and greatly welcomed donations made by ‘friends’ of the Schildersweek.
In 2012 we will welcome participants from Russia, Argentina, Ireland, France, USA, Germany, Belgium and Holland.
If you are a professional artist and would be interested to participate, or if you are a visitor and would like to learn more about the Schildersweek, please send us an email at info@schildersweek.nl.
PROGRAM 2012:
Date time event
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Saturday, May 13th |
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Opening Sorry - due to limited space we can only admit participants, host families, sponsors and other invited guests. |
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| Daily |
throughout the day |
Open Studios Starting Saturday around noon, the first artists will take up their brushes at the various studios, which you can find at the Galerie Art & Performance (Badhuisweg 1A - just ask any local where you can find the old police station), at the Badhotel and at Art Aurum (Noordstraat 8).Please note that although all participants are passionate about their work, they cannot be expected to work all day - even artists have to eat, rest, relax, and do things everybody likes (or has to) do. This means that not all studios will be open at any given time, which we are sure you will understand. Our aim is to keep at least Galerie Art & Performance open to the public during the second half of the afternoon. |
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| Sunday, May 13th |
09.30 - 19.00 |
The Day of the Sunday Painters (Dag van de Zondagsschilders) This day is dedicated to the amateur painters, who are all invited to come to Domburg and participate in our annual contest, in order to produce the winning painting, somewhere in the streets of Domburg, on the beach or in the dunes. Are you an amateur painter and would you like to participate? Then please register by e-mailing your name, address and telephone number to us at info@schildersweek.nl. You can also use this address if you have questions about the event. |
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| 09.30-11.00 17.00 17.00-19.00 19.00 throughout the day |
Participants are expected at Theatre "De Parel", Babelweg 2, Domburg, on Sunday between 09.30 and 11.00 hours to receive their final instructions. NOTE: no materials are provided; you will need to bring your own. All paintings must be handed in before 17.00 hours (same address) While the professional jury deliberates, participants and their company are offered the opportunity to enjoy a 3 course buffet dinner at Restaurant De Parelvisser (this is at your own expense). At the award ceremony,the chairman of the jury will announce the winners. The winners will be offered a Master Class with one of the professional artists. The ceremony will also take place at the Parel theatre. Open studios / see above |
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| Monday, May 14th |
throughout the day |
Open studios - see above |
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| Tuesday, May 15th | 14.00 throughout the day |
Horses on the Beach At 14.00 hours, a painting session will start at the beach, near the Badpaviljoen. The participants will portray traditional farm horses from the province of Zeeland, as well as local inhabitants in traditional costume. Come and watch! Open studios (see above) |
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Wednesday, May 16th |
throughout the day |
Open studios (see above) |
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Thursday, May 17th |
13.00 - 17.00 |
"Montmartre" in Domburg On Ascension Day, the participants traditionally gather around the church in the centre of Domburg, where they will paint portraits (there´s your chance to finally have yourself or your loved ones portrayed!), or concentrate on the local scenery - or paint a couple of beach cabin doors. The other activity on this day is 'Music Inspired Art', where artists will let themselves be inspired by live music. This, too, will take place in the town centre. Just follow the sound. All afternoon there will be lots of music and lots of art, but you can also watch prawn peelers demonstrate their craft - and be amazed at the speed with which a prawn can be removed from its jacket. You can enjoy all of this while eating an oyster or two and sipping a glass of wine. What more could one ask for?
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Friday, May 18th |
20.00 |
Classical Concert / Amédée Trio Badpaviljoen, Domburg (Ballroom) We are very proud indeed to be able to offer you the opportunity to attend this concert, where we will be treated to classical music in an exciting programme presented by the Amédée Trio, consisting of Emmy Verhey (violin), Paul Komen (piano) and Godfried Hoogeveen (cello). Together with Paul Komen, Emmy Verhey has played for us before, two years ago. Now, in her jubilee year, celebrating 50 years of stage performances, the marvellous Amédée Trio have found time to play for us in the unique setting of the ballroom / main hall of the Badpaviljoen. Miss this concert, and you will regret it. Tickets can be booked by paying EUR 25 per ticket into our bank account 37.55.00.499, RABO bank Domburg, in the name of Stichting Art & Performance, Domburg. Please make sure to mention not just the number of tickets but also an e-mail address where you can be reached if the concert should be sold out (in which case we would of course refund the full amount). Note: if you have a foreign bank account only, please contact us at info@schildersweek.nl for an alternative way to book your seats. |
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Saturday, May 19th |
18.00 - 19.00
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Official opening, sales exhibition "In het Licht van Walcheren" At our annual sales exhibition, we present the paintings and photographs which were made during the week. It is really worthwhile to come and see - it is not often that you will be able to see so many interpretations of one theme together. The other nice thing is that all these art works can be purchased. Unfortunately, the official opening of the sales exhibition will be accessible by invitation only (we would really love to welcome everyone, but there simply is not enough space). However, because we very much want to give everyone the opportunity to visit the sales exhibition on its first day, we have decided to open the doors to the public between 18.00 - 19.00 hours. On Saturday evening and on Sunday afternoon, the exhibition can be visited at two locations, the Duingalerie (Badhuisweg 2), and the main hall of the Badpaviljoen (accessible through the gate at the Badhuisweg, opposite the gallery). Please note that the second location is only temporary - after Sunday, the exhibition will continue to be open to the public for another six weeks, but only at the Duingalerie, between 11.00 and 17.00 hours. |
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| Sunday, May 20th |
Departure time - after a fruitful week, all participants will leave us again, carrying home their suitcase filled with memories and inspiration. No need to be sad, though: as mentioned above, the products of their imagination will remain with us for another six weeks. You are very welcome to visit the sales exhibition during that period. |
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| Saturday, August 4th |
Auction - Early in August, an auction will be held, in which selected works from the exhibition which have not yet been sold, will be put up for sale. |
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| 2013 - save the date - 10th edition |
In 2013 the Schildersweek will be organised for the tenth time. We are planning to celebrate this memorable feat with a few special events, so save the date, i.e. the week around Ascension Day 2013! |
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Map of Domburg: Parking in Domburg: http://www.veere.nl/
