Ingrid Urbantke: Supporting young talent is celebrated for 80 years!

Ingrid Urbantke: Supporting young talent is celebrated for 80 years!

On July 22, 2025, the art scene in Laubusch will celebrate a very special occasion: Ingrid Urbantke will be 80 years old and can look back on an impressive life that is entirely dedicated to art and the promotion of young talent. Even in her childhood, she was inspired by floral patterns, color games and designing with glass lenses. This was just the beginning of a long artistic journey that took her through many stops into people's hearts. She completed training as a technical draftsman from 1962 to 1965 and studied painting from 1970 to 1973 at the Dresden University of Fine Arts, Cottbus branch.

In 1976, she took over the children's, painting and drawing circle in the “John Schehr” cultural center in Laubusch, thereby creating a place where creativity and community are valued. Young artists can express their creativity here, and the annual exhibitions in the Lausitz Center in Hoyerswerda are among the highlights for the participants. Ingrid Urbantke created a relaxed atmosphere for her students after the school day - a true retreat where they could experiment with vivid subjects, including pets and self-portraits. Sächsische.de reports that her artistic works were often created on the Baltic Sea, where she found the inspiration for her works.

A legacy of creativity

Whether designing a bus stop or painting an advertising column, Ingrid Urbantke's commitment to the Laubusch cultural work between 1986 and 1992 and her membership in the Hoyerswerda Association of Free Cultural Work since 1992 testify to her tireless commitment to promoting art. Your initiatives have enabled many young people to find their way into an artistic career. So the memories and influence that Ingrid had on her students are everlasting.

Ingrid Urbantke has received numerous awards in her life, including the “Golden Rose” in 1980 and the “Joker in Volunteering” in 1997. These honors are not only a recognition of her artistic abilities, but also of her voluntary commitment, which goes back many years. Her family, including husband Hugo and sons Armin and Karsten, have played a significant role in her development.

The exhibition “Our Lausitz”

The “Laubusch Children’s and Youth Painting and Drawing Circle” is currently proudly showing the exhibition entitled “Our Lausitz” at the Hoyerswerda Adult Education Center. Wochenkurier.de informed that pictures of the Klein Partwitz riding stables and the garden city Erika from the last 47 years can be admired here. This exhibition runs until February 2024 and is a testament to the ongoing work that Ingrid Urbantke has done since she took over the circle in 1976. Karla Kümmig from the adult education center paid tribute to Ingrid Urbantke's work at the vernissage, while a flute trio from the Hoyerswerda Music School provided musical accompaniment to the event.

The weekly meetings at the Laubusch Cultural Center continue to be a valuable opportunity for children and young people to discover their artistic talents. In the past, former circle members, such as Mark Buscha and Anke Lindner, have also been actively involved in the restoration of artistically designed glass panes in the funeral hall. Together, the group regularly designs their hometown with creative projects.

Ingrid Urbantke has not only passed on her love of painting, but also created a community that values ​​creativity and art. Today her legacy is being honored, and the recognition of her life's work is more than deserved, because she knew how to ignite the fire of art in many hearts.