The CityArt international art market transforms Bocholt's town centre into a gallery

On Sunday 30 August 2026, Bocholt town centre will become a hub for international art and creative encounters. More than 60 exhibiting artists will present a wide variety of works at the CityArt international art market, ranging from paintings and drawings to ceramics, jewellery, sculpture, textile art, live portraits, photography, arts and crafts, live music and much more. The event also marks the conclusion of this year's Bocholt Culture Days.

The exhibition areas stretch along Neustraße, Neutorplatz in front of the Stadtsparkasse and the square in front of the Shopping-Arkaden. Visitors can look forward to a varied programme, accompanied by live music from the Dutch singer-songwriter Steph. This year's highlights include, amongst other things, spectacular astrophotographs by Matthias Matenaer, demonstrations of wickerwork and weaving, and the three-dimensional paper art of Bianca Smit Jansen. In addition, speed artist Lex Straaijer will be creating portraits on the spot, whilst Saadet Bayram will be demonstrating the Turkish art of paper marbling, known as 'ebru', which is recognised by UNESCO. An interactive "AI machine" by Steffi Matenaer, behind which creative illustrators are at work, provides further surprises.

"The international CityArt art market has become a fixture in Bocholt's cultural calendar", says Bocholt's Deputy Mayor and Head of Cultural Affairs, Björn Volmering, looking forward to the event, ""The event impressively demonstrates just how vibrant and cross-border the creative scene in our region is.""

This year, there is a particular focus on the themes of sustainability and upcycling. To mark this focus, Stadtsparkasse Bocholt is hosting a special exhibition in its foyer from 17 to 28 August. The official opening will take place on Monday 17 August at 5.00 pm. During the art market on 30 August, guests will also have the opportunity to take their own souvenir photos against large-format photographic backdrops or to win original works of art in a raffle in aid of the "Neighbours in Need" campaign.

""This year's focus on sustainability and upcycling in particular demonstrates that art is not only aesthetically valuable, but can also address current social issues and make them tangible,"" explains organiser and co-organiser Hans Michael Spogahn.

Alongside the market, the Bocholt Art and Culture Association (KuKuG) is organising a creative family programme on the market square in front of the historic town hall. The association's members are also actively supporting the event's organisation. The international art market is sponsored and funded by Stadtsparkasse Bocholt, the City of Bocholt, Deutz-Produktionsstudios and the Ostermann Foundation. The International Art Market project is made possible by the Interreg Germany-Netherlands programme and its programme partners, and is co-financed by the European Union (EU).

Press release, Michael Spogahn