ABANDONED HORTICULTURAL SCHOOL FILLED WITH CONTEMPORARY DRAWING ART

12 professional artists showcase recent works in an exciting location

From May 26 (Ascension Day) to June 12, 2022, the former horticultural school in Frederiksoord (UNESCO World Heritage Site) will be dedicated to 12 contemporary drawing artists:

Tienke Zijlstra | Lea Adriaans | Iris Burghout | Sarah Linde | René Heeres | Rita Rutten | Michiel Knaven | Ursula Metzler | Ingrid Pasmans | Hils Robbé | Esther Schlebos | Inge van der Storm

A surprising exhibition

This group presents the results of an intensive visual research process within drawing. Over the past year, all participants were challenged to push their artistic boundaries in a master program by the Drawing Inventions Academy (DIA). The exhibition features a broad range of formats, techniques, materials, subjects, and approaches—from delicate, intimate, and exploratory to bold, expressive, and outspoken.

A unique location

Not only the artworks but also the abandoned school building, left in disrepair since 2005, contributes to the exhibition’s uniqueness. Hidden and dusty spaces are unveiled and used, creating a fascinating mix of decay and restoration, with some areas resembling museum settings. This transforms the exhibition into an exciting journey of discovery.

A new initiative

This exhibition marks the first of four in the Noord Nu series, a new art initiative in Drenthe. Over three summer months (May 26 – August 14), four exhibitions will feature 23 artists from across the Netherlands.

🔗 More information: www.noordnu.nl
🕰 Opening hours: Thursday – Sunday, 13:00 – 17:00 (Free entry)
🎨 Artists present every day

The Drawing Inventions Academy masterclass was led by Arno Kramer, Marisa Rappard, and Caren van Herwaarden.

📸 Photos by Sjoerd Banga
🎥 Article & video by RTV Drenthe on the transformation of the former horticultural school into an art sanctuary: Voormalige tuinbouwschool Frederiksoord omgetoverd tot kunstwalhalla

🔗 Read the opening speech by Arno Kramer [HERE]