History | Kunst in Ootmarsum

40 years Kunst in Ootmarsum

The artistic open-air art event "Art in Ootmarsum" will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2023. The event has grown into one of the largest open-air exhibitions of its kind in the Netherlands. Every year, around 150 artists participate, despite the fact that the event started out small-scale.

Inspired by Montmartre

A stroll through the Parisian artists' quarter "Montmartre" led Martin Looman, then chairman of the activities committee in Ootmarsum, to come up with the idea.

Contact was made with Jan Essink who, as an artist, had contacts in the regional art world and was also immediately enthusiastic about the idea. Thus was born the first French Market in which some 35 artists presented themselves on the lawn of the Kerkplein in the last weekend of August. The whole thing was musically framed with musette music on the French accordion to a "Place du Tertre" in Ootmarsum.

1985

In 1985, the number of artists participating in the art market could be increased to over 50. To emphasise the Parisian atmosphere during the art market, "Ootmarsumse" clochards could be seen at various places around the art market and pantomimes walked around. At café Ossenvoort in the evening, singer Jeffrey Bonnet performed as Edith Piaf, a success that has been repeated several years. A very successful French cabaret was performed in the open air by the Ootmarsum cabaret ensemble "Ratatouille". (Photo)

To demonstrate Ootmarsum's hospitality, participating artists were offered coffee and currant cake. A tradition that is still maintained.

Further growth

The art market was then expanded to 80 artists and a construction crew was formed from the local volleyball club Set-Up for setting up and dismantling the stands, which is still done today. At the time of the 1st anniversary, entrance gates were erected with the life-size art market man as the logo. These gates still stand annually as welcome gates around the city centre today.

During the 1990s, the art market grew into a nationally and internationally renowned art event with the number of selected artists growing to over 200. Due to the large number of applications (now more than 400 per year) from artists from home and abroad, a selection procedure became necessary. To this day, a selection committee continues to assess each of the applications for variety and quality. Many artists choose the Kunstmarkt Ootmarsum for its artistic atmosphere and high level.

Kunst in Ootmarsum Foundation

The organisation of the Art Market will come under the banner of a foundation, named "Kunst in Ootmarsum". A beautiful logo of "Kunst in Ootmarsum", designed by Ben Griepink, will also be presented at the same time.

During all the years that "Kunst in Ootmarsum" has existed and to this day, many art practitioners from Ootmarsum have also shown their skills during this event. "Kunst in Ootmarsum" was a low-threshold platform for them where they had the opportunity to show their creative expressions to a diverse audience.

2008: 25-year jubilee

In 2008, the 25-year anniversary "Kunst in Ootmarsum" will be celebrated with a festive reception in Engels Tuin al from where all invited guests will make their way to the city centre in a large flag parade. An impressive bamboo flag artwork designed by artist Antoon Versteegde will be placed on the Church Square.

During the jubilee year, it was decided to work with different themes that will take centre stage for the next five years. The multi-year project plan is presented by the board:

Kunst in Ootmarsum: 2009 - 2013: "Podium and Platform for Timeless Talent".

The following themes were planned :

2009: theme Clownery, 2010: Nature and Landscape
2011: Gastronomy
2012: Time,
2013: Technology

In subsequent years, a Theme has also always been used as the Central Exhibition:

2014: Faith in Art
2015: Art from bits and pieces
2016: Art Naturally Green
2017: Art. To Be Silent About
2018: Art from the East
2019: Special Art
2020 + 2021: No Kunst in Ootmarsum (Covid)
2022 : Art of the Northern Lights

From 2014 onwards, an in-house Art magazine is also published, with the Year Theme and the Central Exhibition guiding the KiO Art magazine.

In 2018, an Art Concert was organised for the first time on the Saturday evening, this concert takes place in the RK Church and has been a downright success from the first year. In a packed church, visitors can enjoy beautiful musical performances with spectacular show elements.

Finally

There have been many artistic highlights over all these years with Central Themes from the Netherlands as well as often from abroad, including the Philippines , Belgium, Germany, China, Georgia , Sweden, Finland.

1983 - 2023: 40 years of Jubilee Art in Ootmarsum!

2023 will look at the beginning with the theme: 'the French Market'. The idea of being in Paris on the Place du Tertre with brightly coloured stalls, terraces, parasols, artists, singing, dancing and lively French music, all on the Church Square in the heart of Ootmarsum, the 'Montmartre' of Twente.

The annual selection of artists generates quality, variety and commitment, which is the great strength of the success of the event that has since inspired and inspired many.

The organisation "Kunst in Ootmarsum" is solid and all the volunteers organise the event every year with great pleasure and enthusiasm.

VITA BREVIS EST. LONGA ARS: LIFE IS SHORT. BUT ART LIVES FOREVER!