In the volunteer editorial team, Volunteers for Chemnitz 2025 publish reports on their experiences, assignments and adventures around the European Capital of Culture.
Andrea lives in Chemnitz. Before retiring, she worked as a teacher. She therefore has a good feel for language and an eye for detail - all qualities that she brings to the volunteer editorial team at Chemnitz 2025.
I generally think it's a good idea to utilise the opportunities that are available in our volunteer community. When the offer came up to paint with acrylics under expert guidance together with other volunteers, I signed up straight away. I had always wanted to try it out. On 27 May, the time had come. Full of anticipation, I made my way to Schmidtbank, where the event was taking place. I was even more excited when I saw who was going to give us guidance and help: Norma, a dedicated volunteer whom I know from free walking, and Martin, also a volunteer whom I really appreciate. Both of them had already prepared the room, the brushes were ready on the tables, the water was in the cups and the colours? There were exactly 5 bottles in the basic colours red, white, black, blue and yellow. That should be enough for all of us? And why only five? There are also green and brown, not to mention the intermediate colours. How was that supposed to work? I already saw myself as a representative of my own art movement: bright colours with little reference to reality. But hasn't this been done before? My thoughts were interrupted by Norma's introductory words, after which the participants introduced themselves. Yes, you read that right, participants. Apart from Martin, there wasn't another man in the room. They were probably at the garages ;- And then we were allowed to get started with motifs on the subject of Chemnitz. Some had prepared themselves and brought something with them, for the others there were enough wonderful pictures to put them on paper in their own style. I learned how to mix colours so that they came across in the picture the way I wanted them to. In hindsight, I only needed to remember my art teacher, but that was a while ago. So thanks to Norma and Martin for their useful advice, which enabled me to paint a great picture of the beer bridge in Chemnitz. I was also very impressed by the paintings of the other participants, they were small works of art. And the best thing: We will be allowed to exhibit them!
Text and photos: Andrea Oelsner