OpenArtExchange Transforms its Building for Schiedam 750: A New Face in Color
SCHIEDAM – To celebrate Schiedam’s 750th anniversary, art gallery OpenArtExchange has given its building on Hoogstraat a complete makeover. Once entirely white, the gallery is now literally “brought to life in color.” All walls have been painted in warm shades of brown, yellow, and green, creating a natural and vibrant atmosphere. In addition, the display window box has been removed, making the gallery more open and inviting to both passersby and visitors.
The transformation goes beyond aesthetics: it symbolizes renewal and a forward-looking vision. With its new appearance, the gallery seeks to emphasize the idea of an open house—a place where art and society meet and reflect together on the future.
The metamorphosis ties in with the special exhibition program House of the Future, which OpenArtExchange presents in honor of Schiedam 750. This series includes three group exhibitions: House of the Future I – Shaping Grounds, House of the Future II – Common Grounds, and House of the Future III – Fertile Grounds. Each chapter explores a different aspect of tomorrow’s city: from sustainability and community spirit to social cohesion, identity, and dreams of a shared future.
“With this project we wanted not only to give the gallery a new face, but also to create a visual metaphor for the city of the future,” says Joke Bakker-Jansen, director of OpenArtExchange. “The colors represent growth, diversity, and vibrancy—the very qualities we want to celebrate in Schiedam.”
The coloring of the building marks the final phase before a full-scale metamorphosis. The façade will soon be completely renewed, while the building itself will be modernized and further developed. Plans include a green roof with solar panels and a façade harmoniously integrated with the rest of Hoogstraat. The redesigned space will be multifunctional: in addition to the gallery, it will house several apartments, an artist-in-residence program, and a library specializing in African books on philosophy, art, and history.
With this extensive renovation and development, OpenArtExchange aims to create a place where art, culture, and community converge—a space where both local and international visitors can be inspired by contemporary African art and culture.