Last week we had a studio visit from the director and curator of the Neue Galerie Gladbeck, Sabine Schmidt. We met Sabine earlier in the week at the Gladbeck gallery’s opening of the exhibition: How many do you see? by German abstract painter Aneta Kajzer.

Sabine generously visited with each of the first year grads individually and gave feedback on our work. We also chatted as a group with Sabine sharing insights into her experiences and practices as a gallery curator and art critic, and how it may be relevant to us as emerging artists. Thank you Sabine!

This week, Jutta & the first year grads visited the Bonn Kunstmuseum, a short train ride from Dusseldorf. We met two museum curators and got a private tour of MƎTAATEM, an exhibition by painter & multi-disciplinary artist Kerstin Bratsch. We also got to stay after the visit for the opening of a the new exhibition showing work by french artists Tohé Commaret, Sarah-Anaïs Desbenoit and Pol Taburet.

The first year grads have been visiting many galleries and museums surrounding Düsseldorf, including the Kunstverein Leverkusen Schloss Morsbroich, Insel Hombroich, Langen Foundation Neuss, and Die Neue Galerie Gladbeck. We got to meet the curator of the Kunstverein, and had a studio visit with the director and curator of Neue Galerie Gladbeck. We’re looking forward to visiting Bonn & Cologne in the coming week!

The 1st Year Grads traveled to Brussels from Feb 26-27, 2026 to visit museums and galleries. We visited the Old Masters & Magritte Museums as well as Bozar, Neno Mier Gallery, and Sept Gallery. Brussels is a lively and walkable city with iconic architecture ranging from Gothic & Baroque to Art Nouveau and Bauhaus, with incredible murals and street art. We enjoyed belgian waffles and visiting the famous Manneken Pis fountain!

The first year grads are three weeks into the semester in Düsseldorf! We’re enjoying the abundant studio time in our creative den. The studios are well lit and spacious, easily accessible with public transport. The studio kitchen and materials room are replete with tea and art supplies (and even a bike!) from the previous grads, which we greatly appreciate!

We’ve also been to visit the Düsseldorf K20 & K21 Museums with our professor & guide Jutta Haeckel. The K20 has an impressive permanent collection of iconic 20th century work, and the K21’s curation of their Grund und Boden (Land & Soil) was especially impactful, with multi-disciplinary work by artists including Ai Weiwei & Tadáskía.

Thursday Feb. 19th 12:15-1:15

On Sunday, February 1st, 2026 our 1st-year MFA cohort landed in Düsseldorf to begin the Spring semester. 

We were given a tour of the neighborhood and enjoyed an authentic welcome dinner at Brauerei im Füchschen in the Düsseldorf Altstadt with Painting faculty & staff Jutta Haeckel, Stefan Kürten, and Beatrice Richter. 

During the week we received the keys to our studios, got settled in, visited the Kunstakademie annual exhibition, and learned a bit from Stefan about the art and history of Düsseldorf. We are very excited to begin our three months in this beautiful city!

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From Tuesday, October 28, 2025, to Friday, October 31, 2025, the 2nd-year MFA cohort visited Berlin! From the moment of arrival, one could tell that this city emits a unique and bustling energy. Together we visited: the Brandenburg Gate, Hamburger Bahnhof, Gemäldegalerie, Alte Nationalgalerie, Neue Nationalgalerie, and Max Hetzler gallery for Katharina Grosse and Grace Weaver. Side quests included the Berlin Cathedral, a techno show, thrift stores, and parks. 

One special evening was spent at Vorfluter (Donaustrasse 112, Berlin) for the show of Alfred Düsseldorf MFA painting alumni Isabel Monti! On Thursday, October 30th, Isabel hosted our group and other visitors for a Potluck Dinner at the gallery. It was a wonderful time to share space, see Isabel’s new work, and celebrate the occasion with love.

Berlin offers a lot to see, especially within the arts. The city is expansive and exciting. I would choose to return in a heartbeat, because there is undoubtedly much more to discover and enjoy!

📸 Max Heaton

On Thursday, October 23, 2025, the 2nd-year MFA cohort hosted art writer Frank Schlablewski for a group critique. Frank is a creative thinker with a strong knowledge of art history. As the critique settled in, it became clear what the priority was … Frank wanted to find the connection between the artist and the work. He wanted to learn about the artist, view the art, run with his imagination, and challenge each artist to reach an authentic endpoint in their own work. Frank would take a suggestion from a sketchbook and wonder about the painting. Frank would analyze different artworks within an artist’s studio, and express which work was singing most beautifully. He provided insight for each artist to wonder about and take seriously if they see fit to do so.

📸 Max Heaton