Harle Art Exhibition

Art by the Water – for over 50 Years

With its 52nd edition, the Harle Art Exhibition is one of East Frisia's oldest open-air art series. Instead of being displayed in enclosed galleries, the works are placed along the Harle, the small coastal river connecting Wittmund and Carolinensiel. The route is part of a popular cycling path, allowing visitors to explore the exhibition at their own pace – on foot, by bike, or in several stages.

Theme 2026 – Waves, Wind, and Adventure

The annual theme 'Waves, Wind, and Adventure' reflects the location between the geest (upland) and the mudflats. Sculptures, installations, and objects are expected that interpret the element of water, the play of wind, and the spirit of departure characteristic of the coastal region. The spectrum ranges from abstract steel objects and figurative wooden sculptures to participatory sound installations, a range the OKK has established over the years.

The Path as Part of the Exhibition

The stations are distributed to create a cohesive route. Visitors will pass locks, old drainage systems, meadows, and harbor facilities – experiencing art that is not confined to a neutral gallery space but interacts dynamically with the landscape, light, and weather. The atmosphere changes from hour to hour, making the artworks themselves seem like evolving objects.

Ostfriesischer Kunstkreis as Organizer

The Ostfriesischer Kunstkreis (OKK) has been supporting the exhibition since its inception and is a central hub for the regional art scene. Over the years, the Harle Art Exhibition has become a calling card for the OKK – a bridge between professional art, the amateur scene, and a broad audience, often unfamiliar with art, who can casually encounter sculpture and installation here.