Wilke Atelier e.V.

In the location's words:

The former studio of Bremerhaven's most famous marine and landscape painter Paul Ernst Wilke is located on the former outer harbor of the Old Port, between the pilot house and the radar tower. Wilke built the little wooden house in 1947, when he was already living in Worpswede, and regularly came here to paint. After the artist's death, his wife rented out the house.

When the house was threatened with demolition in 1984, the "Freundeskreis Paul Ernst Wilke e.V." was founded. With the help of many private and public sponsors, the "Freundeskreis Paul Ernst Wilke e.V." has succeeded in returning the former artist's residence to its original purpose through comprehensive and functional modernization.

The restored studio was inaugurated in July 1986 with a memorial exhibition for Paul Ernst Wilke. Former German President Richard von Weizsäcker was one of its first visitors. Artists from all over the world use the artists' residence for working stays in the lakeside city. They are mainly painters, sculptors and photographers. But musicians and writers can also apply for residencies. At the end of their stay, the guest artists present their work to the public.

The building, in blue and white, is still a little gem today because it is constantly being renovated. The bright studio space on the first floor includes a small kitchen and a bathroom. Under the roof is a bedroom with two beds, which offers a view of the old outer harbor, the Geeste estuary and the Weser.

The walls of the studio were newly insulated in 2010. The garden was redesigned and furnished with works by studio artists. The kitchen and bathroom have also been renovated. This gem is now a listed building, ensuring its continued existence as an artists' residence.

Today, the Wilke studio is a permanent fixture for the Bremerhaven public. The good reputation of the studio at the Alter Vorhafen has spread far and wide among artists. The studio is booked years in advance. The special atmosphere of a harbor city and the unique location have a lasting effect on most studio guests.