20th Mettmanner Kunstmeile 2026

Mettmann — the Neanderthal town in the Mettmann district

Mettmann, with around 39,000 inhabitants, is the district town of the Mettmann district. It is picturesquely situated between Düsseldorf, Wuppertal, and Solingen — in the Bergisches Land region. Mettmann is world-famous as the Neanderthal town: the skeleton of the early human Homo neanderthalensis, after whom the town is named, was discovered in the nearby Neander Valley in 1856; the Neanderthal Museum is now one of Europe's most important paleontological exhibitions. The town itself has a lovingly maintained historic town center, which provides an ideal backdrop for an open-air art mile.

The Mettmanner Kunstmeile — an anniversary edition

The Mettmanner Kunstmeile was launched in 2007 and celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026. The concept has been clear from the start: artists present themselves — no gallerist, no intermediary stands between creators and the public. Each booth is managed by the artist themselves. The atmosphere is personal and inviting — visitors can talk directly with the artists, buy works, make contacts for studio visits, or arrange workshops.

41 artists — curated and selected

The number of participants is limited to 41 artists. Applications must include a short biography with references to exhibition experience and one to three photos of the works. The final selection is made by the Cultural Office — participation is therefore not guaranteed. This selection ensures a high artistic level and the desired stylistic diversity:

• Painting — oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media
• Printmaking — linocut, woodcut, lithography, etching
• Sculpture — stone, wood, metal, ceramics
• Photography — black and white, color, experimental
• Glass art and ceramics as original works by the creators
• Jewelry design — silver, gemstones, mixed media

What may not be sold: works by other artists (no "gallery sales"), mass-produced goods (industrial products), or pure handicrafts without their own artistic claim.

Booth organization

Each artist receives a 3x3 m booth space (expandable to 3x6 m upon request and availability). The organizers provide rental pavilions; alternatively, artists can bring their own white tents (for visual consistency). Booth fees will be published on the organizer's website before the event.

Location Königshof — the heart of the city center

The venue is the Königshof in Mettmann's city center — a spacious square in the historic town center, framed by half-timbered houses and small cafés. The Königshof offers enough space for the 41 booths in a relaxed arrangement, without feeling crowded.

Sunday shopping — the ideal combination

Parallel to the Kunstmeile, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the Sunday shopping event takes place in Mettmann's city center: boutiques, gift shops, bookstores, and cafés are open. The combination of a curated open-air art market and Sunday shopping makes Mettmann a perfect excursion destination for families from neighboring Düsseldorf, Wuppertal, and Velbert on the first Sunday in May.

Getting there and practical information

Mettmann is located between Düsseldorf and Wuppertal, easily accessible by car, train, and public transport. Train: S-Bahn line S 28 from Düsseldorf-Wuppertal stops at Mettmann Stadtwald — 10 min walk to the city center. Car: A 3 exit Mettmann, then follow city center signs. Free admission. Contact: Anna Wagner at the Mettmann City Cultural Office, phone 02104 980-128 or by email at [email protected].