Kunstmuseum Schwaan

About the museum

The Kunstmuseum Schwaan is an institution of the town of Schwaan and opened on October 26, 2002, initially under the name "Galerie in der Alten Wassermühle." It is dedicated to the artists' colony that formed around 1880/85 in the small town on the Warnow and reached its heyday until the First World War.

The driving force of the colony was Franz Bunke, a native of Schwaan, who returned to his hometown after teaching at the Weimar art school. He encouraged young talents from the region such as Rudolf Bartels and Peter Paul Draewing to study in Weimar as well, so that the colony was shaped mainly by local painters. Women painters and amateurs also belonged to the circle. In 1905 a Mecklenburg-Pomeranian artists' association was founded with its seat in Schwaan.

The museum building is the former water mill on the Beke, which is documented as early as 1602. The present half-timbered building dates from 1791; in 1850 the mill passed to the town, and grinding continued until 1955, after which it was used for animal feed production. After extensive renovation, it offers eleven exhibition rooms on three floors with about 600 square meters of space, all reachable by elevator.

On display are landscape pictures and other works by the Schwaan painters, complemented by temporary exhibitions. A historic miller's room recalls the building's former use. The museum is a member of EUROART, the network of European artists' colonies.

Highlights

• Paintings of the Schwaan artists' colony around Franz Bunke and Rudolf Bartels
• Exhibition in a half-timbered water mill from 1791
• Eleven exhibition rooms on three floors
• Historic miller's room
• Art trails through the town to the painters' motifs

Permanent exhibitions

• Künstlerkolonie Schwaan – Landscape pictures and other works by Franz Bunke, Rudolf Bartels, Peter Paul Draewing, Alfred Heinsohn and other painters of the Schwaan colony.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Stadt Schwaan

Director

Annette Winter-Süß

Admission & discounts

Card payment (EC) possible.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Certified as accessible; all exhibition rooms can be reached by elevator. Accessible parking space behind the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children's programs for ages 5 to 10 on selected Sundays at 11:00, e.g. "Kinder, Kunst & Mühle" or "Spuk unter dem Mühlrad" with mill legends and crafts; €5 per child, accompanying adults free, registration required.

Getting there & parking

By car via the L13 (from the direction of Bad Doberan), the A20 (exit Schwaan) or the A19 (exit Kavelstorf). The museum is located on the Berlin–Copenhagen cycle route.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with postcards, publications and art prints on the first floor; the town's tourist information office is also housed in the building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit