Usedomer Art Auction

Usedom Artistry and Auction Tradition

The island of Usedom has produced its own artistic community since the late 19th century. In the 20th century, the group around Otto Niemeyer-Holstein (1896–1984), Otto Manigk (1902–1972), Herbert Wegehaupt (1915–1959), and later Susanne Kandt-Horn (1914–1996) particularly shaped East German painting with landscape-anchored works. This so-called Usedom artists' colony left behind a rich artistic heritage, which the Usedom Art Association (Usedomer Kunstverein e.V.) has preserved and made accessible again through its annual art auctions since 1994.

The 33rd Auction in 2026

With the 33rd edition in September 2026, the association continues a tradition that is among the most distinguished art market events in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The auction will feature works by the island's established painters as well as current works by living artists. The list of accepted artists includes, in addition to those already mentioned, Manfred Kandt, Manfred Kastner, Vera Kopetz, Rosa Kühn, Hugo Scheele, Karen Schacht, Ernst Schroeder, Johann Walter-Kurau, and Rolf Werner — a selection that offers a comprehensive cross-section of 20th-century Usedom painting.

Preview as a Cultural Experience

The auction is preceded by a preview exhibition lasting about two weeks. In the Kunstpavillon on the promenade, interested parties can study the individual lots in detail, consult the associated catalogues raisonnés, and discuss with the association members. The opening traditionally includes a champagne reception — a social highlight that elevates the auction beyond a mere market transaction.

The Kunstpavillon — A Gem of Seaside Architecture

The venue is the Kunstpavillon directly on the famous Heringsdorf promenade, in close proximity to the historic pier. The building, an architectural gem of North German seaside architecture, stands as an example of the cultural staging that has characterized the imperial spa town of Heringsdorf since the 19th century. It serves simultaneously as the association's headquarters, exhibition space, and auction hall.

An Auction with an Event Character

The auction itself — Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 11 a.m. — is a public event led by an auctioneer. Interested parties can bid live or in writing; in individual cases, telephone bids are also accepted. A post-auction sale phase follows, during which unsold works can be purchased directly. This combination of exhibition, champagne reception, auction, and post-sale makes the Usedomer Art Auction a cultural meeting point for collectors and enthusiasts in the Vorpommern-Greifswald district.