Local Art Galleries

Doesburg is a small Hanseatic town on the IJssel, where the Oude IJssel joins the main river, and it has a lively creative side that surprises many visitors. Behind the medieval ramparts and the narrow streets of the old town, a number of galleries and studios show the work of local and regional artists, and a walk between them is an enjoyable way to see the town. The galleries are small, independent and varied, with painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography and jewellery on show, and they are often run by the artists themselves, which means you can talk to the people who made the work.

The town has long attracted artists, partly because of its character. The old centre is compact, picturesque and quiet, with gabled houses, a Gothic church and a ring of waterways, and it has a relaxed pace that suits studio work. One of the best known figures connected with the name is Theo van Doesburg, the artist and founder of the De Stijl movement, who took his pseudonym from the town, although he was born in Utrecht. Today the local art scene is a mixture of professional artists, craftspeople and enthusiasts, and some of the shows are tied to events and open studio weekends during the year.

A museum devoted to the French glassmaker and jeweller René Lalique is also associated with the town, set in a former church, and it shows glass, jewellery and decorative objects from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods, which gives an international dimension to the local scene. Opening times and details of the display should be checked in advance, as small museums often keep limited hours. The setting of a church building adds atmosphere to the display, and the high interior suits the shining glass.

For visitors, the galleries are within easy walking distance of the other sights, among them the Koppelpoort, the town gate combining a land gate and a water gate, De Waag, the old weighing house that is now a beer house and restaurant, and the Stadhuis. The quay along the river, De Buitenkant, is a pleasant promenade, and there are cafes where you can sit between visits. Opening hours vary from gallery to gallery, with many open in the afternoons and at weekends, and some are closed on Mondays.

The galleries suit art lovers, those who enjoy browsing small shops and visitors looking for a gift or a piece to take home. Allow an hour or two, and combine them with the rest of the town.