"Touched by Art" in the Bellevue Hall: Exhibition Showcases New Works from an Inclusive Art Project
The special exhibition “Touched by Art” opened on July 17 at the Kunstverein Bellevue-Saal in Wiesbaden with a very well-attended opening reception. More than 150 guests attended the presentation of numerous works from the inclusive art project—including over a dozen pieces that had not yet been shown to the public.
The exhibition powerfully demonstrates how creative and enriching collaboration between artists with and without disabilities can be. The works were created by ten pairs who worked together over several weeks, developing ideas and discovering new forms of artistic expression. In the Bellevue Hall, the completed works now take center stage, highlighting the diversity of the art produced.
On behalf of the core team, Marius Ohlendorff, a member of the Expert Council of the State Capital of Wiesbaden, and Andrea Hausy, the municipal inclusion officer, welcomed the guests. Ohlendorff praised Touched by Art as “something truly special” that had produced “wonderful works.” Andrea Hausy emphasized that the project is far more than just an art exhibition: “Diversity was experienced here as an added value—and that is exactly what Touched by Art has brought to light.” Art connects people and, through this project, has drawn attention to active inclusion far beyond the city limits.
On display are, among other things, new works by the tandems Julia Collet and Helge Leiberg, Lina Schreiber and Mirjam Vlaming, as well as collaborative works by Silvia Willkens and Jens Goebel. They reflect the openness and creative dialogue that have characterized the project from the very beginning.
For curator Christine Rother-Ulrich, the exhibition opening was a particularly moving moment. “Artists ranging in age from 16 to 86 have grown closer together. Friendships have formed, and humanity and creativity have been brought to life,” she said. The pilot project, she noted, has demonstrated the potential inherent in artistic encounters on equal footing. Now, she added, the task is to continue on this path.
During the subsequent tour, Christine Rother-Ulrich, together with some of the participating artists, explained the history behind the creation of the works and provided insights into the creative process. The works, which have not yet been exhibited, are available for purchase during the exhibition. The proceeds will go toward the inclusive art project, in which other art forms—such as music—can also play a role. A start has already been made, as demonstrated by the trio of Iryna Soroka, Raquel Gomez, and Carlos de Jesus with their original song “Touched by Art,” which also delighted the audience at the opening reception. (hk)
Exhibition: July 17 through August 30, 2026
Location: Bellevue-Saal, Wilhelmstraße 32, Wiesbaden
Hours:
Wednesday through Friday: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
; Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Accompanying Events:
• July 30, 7:00 p.m.: Helmut Mair and Stella Tinbergen in conversation about Künstlerhaus6 and Vitos, with musical accompaniment by Sara Nadzak (keyboard)
• August 8, 7:00 p.m.: Concert-reading “Splitterzeiten” with Flora von Herwarth and Shirin Tashibaeva (cello)