Stable Museum in Groß Fredenwalde: New exhibition honors Inge Mahn!

Stable Museum in Groß Fredenwalde: New exhibition honors Inge Mahn!

An exciting event is imminent: On July 5th, the new exhibition “It must go on because it goes on” will open in the stable museum in Groß Fredenwalde. This show not only honors the extraordinary art project, but also the museum's founder, the sculptor Inge Mahn, who died in 2023. Mahn lived in the region for over 25 years and had a lasting impact on cultural life. Her life's work, which began in 2012 in a converted pigsty, is kept alive by the new installations. The vernissage at 6:30 p.m. will not only feature works of art, but also exciting discussions and a snack, which will provide space for exchange among visitors.

The exhibition also shows impressive black and white photographs by Inge Mahn, which provide an insight into the Uckermark and her home. The exhibition curator, Marta Smolińska, has put together a promising program that promotes dialogue between the past and present. The focus is on the artist Vitalii Shupliak, a Ukrainian living in Berlin, who is part of a new residency program and wants to actively get in touch with the history of the stable museum and the villagers. The residence, titled “Who Belongs in the Country?” is part of the project “Connecting Worlds – Cultural Land Brandenburg 2024/2025”. This program has set a lot in motion in the region and is supported by several sponsors, including the ministries of the state of Brandenburg and the East German Savings Bank Association.

A place for art and community

The stable museum not only provides exhibition spaces, but is also a lively place for artists and the community. Inge Mahn, the internationally recognized artist and professor of sculpture at the Weißensee School of Art, pursued a socio-cultural commitment with the museum. The Stallmuseum e.V. association was founded in 2025. V. continues this legacy and is committed to promoting cultural diversity in the region. In addition to exhibitions, the museum also offers an exchange shop, residence apartments and a workshop studio, making it a place for creative exchange.

In the context of rural cultural work, the stable museum faces similar challenges as many institutions in rural areas. While urban culture often benefits from networks and financial security, rural initiatives struggle with chronic underfunding and a lack of acceptance for contemporary art. But the stable museum shows that, despite all the difficulties, innovative projects are possible and can become part of the regional identity. Events like the upcoming exhibition are essential to promote dialogue with the general public and strengthen the importance of contemporary art in rural areas.

Overall, the stable museum shows how art and community activities are intertwined in rural areas. Initiatives like these do pioneering work and open up new perspectives for artists and the public. It remains to be hoped that further funding measures and a rethinking of cultural policy will help preserve these valuable spaces for creativity and exchange. Because one thing is certain: the cultural dialogue in our region continues to need space to grow and develop.

Find out more about the upcoming exhibition and the stable museum here: Northern Courier, Stable Museum, and read about cultural work in rural areas kubi online.