Lokaal 432 Studio & Exhibition

 

 

Open Day

Lokaal432

 Open day of Lokaal 432! Come visit my studio and have a look at the things I am working on these days. The program starts at 12:00, but I can only be there after 14:00. If you can't stay utill I am there, some of my work will be displayed in the first-floor hallway. There will be enough activities and programs everywhere in the building.

 


12:00-17:00 Saturday 08 November 2025
( My door opens at 14:00. Room 28b, 2nd floor)
Address: Erich Salomonstraat 432, 1087 JA Amsterdam

A Studio 

As a writer, I hardly need space. A pen, a piece of paper, my laptop, and a desk - an empty desk if possible; that's all I need. But being an artist is something very different. I need the space to move, space to leave my half-done projects to dry, to rest, and space for another half-done project that I can move on to. I need to know where my pencils are, that specific brush for that specific effect; the irritation of not finding it when I need it is unbearable. That's why I need a studio.

After years of working in a spare room at home, I was considering moving into a proper studio space, mostly because I needed a big empty wall, which was impossible in my own house. But the price for an art Studio in Amsterdam is so crazy; trying to make enough money in order to pay for it will kill all the fun of art-making. Then Lokaal 432 fell into my lap, like a pure miracle. Exactly what I needed at this moment of my life. It's nothing short of a miracle that such an opportunity occurs, so perfect and so timely. These kinds of events make you believe in divine intervention, the value of being patient, and having faith. 

Lokaal 432

Located in an empty school building, Lokaal432 started out as a grassroots initiative by a group of residents in IJburg, Amsterdam, and came to life with the support of LOLA and the city government. The school was called, nonetheless, the Olympus. What a great name to call for creative souls to come together and build something magical, in the short period of time that is given to us! There are social integration organizations, sustainable lifestyle and circular economy initiatives, artists who work with recycled materials and community art projects; it's a melting pot and a witch's soup in one. From September 2025 till the end of June 2026, we can nest here as our creative home. Nothing lasts forever, but in a short period of time, we can still manage to make something truly impactful!

An Experiment

The open day on November 8th marked the first official introduction of Lokaal 432 to the neighborhood. As always, I was so busy running up and down, here and there, I didn't take any pictures. But well, that also means it was very busy and lots of interest from the community and the city government, too. The night before, I was still painting the walls with other fellow Olympians, cleaning up and hanging up my artworks at the exhibition space, and people came in early in the morning to do the last tidy up. It's what a group of creative and dedicated people can accomplish in a very short period of time. Let's see what is still possible out there, can't wait!

 

(I just love to see all 9 paintings hanging up in the way they're supposed to be displayed!)