Jopie Huisman Museum
Museum in Workum for the painter, storyteller and rag-and-bone man Jopie Huisman and his touching pictures of worn-out and discarded things.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Jopie Huisman Museum in Workum is dedicated to the painter, draughtsman and storyteller Jopie Huisman, who was born in Workum in 1922 as the youngest of seven children. He learned the trade of house painter, worked as a decorative painter in a pottery and, after its bankruptcy in 1953, set up a business trading in rags and scrap metal. On the side he painted and drew; from 1974 his style became more realistic and his subjects more intense, which made him known to a wide public.
Jopie did not paint people but what they left behind: worn-out shoes, a discarded rag doll, an old pair of underpants. For him, everything hanging in the museum was a single love story. The museum was founded in 1986 and later moved into the present building with its Corten steel facade, which Jopie called his cathedral for art. After a renovation in 2022, the original principles of the open, symmetrical architecture were restored.
The permanent presentation begins with an introductory film and revolves around the themes of nature, compassion and sustainability. In the audio tour Jopie himself speaks beside his most beautiful drawings and paintings. In addition, the museum shows two changing exhibitions every year with art that suits Jopie. The museum café is run by the neighbours from Restaurant Folkerts and contains the "Gôlle", a former shed with objects from Jopie's house and farm.
Highlights
- Permanent presentation with introductory film and an audio tour in which Jopie himself tells the story
- Paintings and drawings of worn-out and discarded things
- Children's audio tour and sketchbook (Jopie's Schetsboek) for young visitors
- Café-restaurant with the "Gôlle", a shed full of Jopie's finds
- Two changing exhibitions every year
Permanent exhibition
- Vaste presentatie – Introductory film and audio tour with Jopie's own voice; the works revolve around nature, compassion and sustainability.
- Founded
- 1986
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10CJP |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Children up to and including 12 years have free admission, including the children's audio tour and Schetsboek. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more people are asked to announce their visit in advance by email. |
Free with Museumkaart, ICOM, VriendenLoterij VIP card (valid for 1 person) and for members of the Vriendenkring. Young people aged 13 and over pay the full price. Payment by card (PIN) only.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is fully wheelchair-accessible; free loan wheelchairs are available. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs and guide dogs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Children's audio tour and "Jopie's Schetsboek" with drawing and search tasks; children up to and including 12 years have free admission.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Merk (Buurtbus Qbuzz 102) · 50 m
Workum is on the Leeuwarden–Stavoren railway line; it is about a 20-minute walk from Workum station. On weekdays the Qbuzz 102 neighbourhood bus towards Makkum stops at the Merk.
By car
Free parking
Free parking behind the museum, in the parking bays around the Panwurk street and behind the Grote Kerk (Gertrudiskerk) on the Skil.
The museum is in the historic centre, about 50 metres from the market square (de Merk). By boat you can moor in the new harbour basin next to the Beginebrug behind the Grote Kerk.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Museum café-restaurant in Jopie style, run by Restaurant Folkerts (accessible via the museum during opening hours, otherwise via the entrance at Merk 26). Museum shop and web shop with cards, books and reproductions; card payment only in the shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The audio tour of the permanent presentation features Jopie's own voice. There are programmes for school classes (max. 30 pupils per group, €4 per pupil; the class has the museum to itself). Payment in the museum by card only. |
