13. OpenArts Artist Market Phoenix See 2026

Art by the Water — Phoenix See as a Gallery

The OpenArts Artist Market on the Culture Island in Phoenix See is one of the most beautiful open-air art presentations in the Ruhr area. The lake — created on the former site of the Phoenix steelworks in Dortmund-Hörde — is considered a flagship project of structural change in the Ruhr area. The Culture Island in the middle of the lake is a central meeting point for cultural events.

Date and Venue 2026

Sunday, July 12, 2026, 11:00 AM–6:00 PM. Venue: Culture Island Phoenix See, in the Hörde district. Free admission for visitors.

13th Edition — An Established Tradition

In 2026, the 13th international OpenArts Artist Market at Phoenix See will take place — the series has become a fixture in the summer calendar of southern Dortmund. OpenArts Artist Markets organizes several markets per year in different regions of Germany; the Phoenix See edition is one of the most distinctive thanks to its unique waterfront location.

What the Artists Show

Over 50 artists from Germany and abroad will present their works directly at their stands for sale:

• Paintings — oil, acrylic, mixed media; styles from realistic to abstract-expressionist
• Photographs — art photography, landscape, portrait, black and white, conceptual works
• Sculptures — bronze, metal, wood, stone, mixed media
• Drawings — ink, watercolor, charcoal, colored pencil

The selection is curated by OpenArts — not just a market stall, but professional artists with consistent work.

Local and International Mix

The mix is key: Artists from Dortmund and the Ruhr area meet exhibitors from German-speaking countries, Eastern Europe, and occasionally from further afield. This international component distinguishes OpenArts from purely regional art markets.

Direct Contact with the Artists

Unlike in galleries, visitors speak directly with the artists — asking about inspiration, techniques, life paths. This immediate encounter is the heart of the format. Those who buy paintings, sculptures, or photographs know who is behind them.

Family Program and Atmosphere

The Culture Island is centrally located in Phoenix See, accessible from the mainland by a bridge. Surrounding it is the lake promenade with restaurants, cafés, and bars. Families can combine Sunday with art and a stroll.

Dortmund-Hörde and Phoenix See

Hörde is a southern district of Dortmund, shaped by structural change: Where the Phoenix-Ost steelworks stood until 2001, today lies Phoenix See — an artificial lake with about 24 hectares of water surface, completed in 2011. The area is one of the most ambitious urban development projects in the Ruhr area — housing, gastronomy, culture, and water sports define its new identity.