museumbickel

About the museum

The museumbickel has existed since 2002 and is run by the Karl Bickel-Stiftung. In an almost unchanged, column-free industrial hall of about 400 square meters from the early 20th century, it shows three exhibitions a year of contemporary art from Switzerland and the region. Each year, one of them is devoted to the namesake, Karl Bickel.

Karl Bickel (1886–1982) was born in Zurich, trained as a lithographer and made a name for himself as a graphic artist and poster designer. He later worked as a stamp engraver, painter and sculptor; the PTT became his most important client. After a tuberculosis illness in 1913, he recovered on the Walenstadtberg. Under the impression of the First World War, he decided to dedicate his life's work to a peace monument. In 1924 he settled permanently on the Walenstadtberg and built the Paxmal by 1949; the foundation also looks after it.

Since 2019, the Bickel Cabinet in the museum has given an overview of his work during all opening hours, from postage stamps through posters and drawings to sculpture. The operation is financed mainly by the canton of St. Gallen, the municipality of Walenstadt and the patrons' association.

Highlights

• Three exhibitions a year with contemporary art
• Bickel Cabinet with an overview of Karl Bickel's work
• Paxmal: peace monument by Karl Bickel on the Walenstadtberg (free access)
• Column-free industrial hall of about 400 square meters
• Education programs for school classes

Permanent exhibition

• Bickel-Kabinett – Overview of Karl Bickel's work with postage stamps, posters, drawings, paintings and sculptures; before each summer exhibition, it is newly curated with smaller works.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Karl Bickel-Stiftung

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Swiss Museum Pass, the Raiffeisen Museum Pass, and for members of the patrons' association “Freunde museumbickel und Paxmal,” the “Freunde Kunst(Zeug)Haus” Rapperswil-Jona, the Swiss Werkbund (SWB) and the Association of Museums of Switzerland (VMS). The Paxmal is freely accessible.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

According to the website, the Bickel Cabinet is not accessible.

Kids & families

museums.ch lists the house with offerings for families and children; the website mentions education programs for school classes.

Getting there & parking

Parking according to the museums.ch profile, without further details. From Walenstadt station, a bus runs to Walenstadtberg-RehaKlinik for the Paxmal, followed by a hike of about one hour to Schrina-Hochrugg; parking there is limited, so parking in Walenstadtberg is recommended.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop according to the museums.ch profile, without further details.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit