Table of Contents
PressSplit
surprise bags in boxes – sorted by artist name.”/>The participants include the artists Kirsten Delrieux, Frederike Mühleck and Natalie Milosevic Abbo (from left). In front of them are the surprise bags in boxes – sorted by artist name. © Dietsche, Justus
Artists from the Forum for the Promotion of Art and Culture (FFK) in Neu-Isenburg have been offering their art wonder bags for nine years now. The campaign once again provides pleasant surprises
Neu-Isenburg – Now in the run-up to Christmas, surprise bags – packages with surprise contents – are nothing unusual. There can be anything in such bags: for example candles, cocoa, tea and chocolates. However, the Forum for the Promotion of Art and Culture (FFK) has been releasing surprise bags with very special contents for nine years: “With our surprise bags you can enjoy drawings, paintings, prints and photographic art,” explains district administrator and FFK chairman Oliver Quilling.
18 artists have come together for this purpose. “The gifts cost 25 euros. You don’t know beforehand what kind of work of art awaits you. But based on the artists’ profiles, you can at least get an idea of what’s inside,” explains Kati Conrad, deputy FFK chairwoman and main organizer of the annual campaign. The latter takes place in the Café Kaffeefahrt at the train station,
Get into conversation with artists
Behind the sales table, on which the many art wonder bags are sorted in boxes by name, are the artists Kirsten Delrieux, Frederike Mühleck and Natalie Milosevic Abbo. Delrieux photographed foggy landscapes, Milosevic Abbo painted with acrylics. Mühleck was also active with the camera and photographed various architecture. They answer questions at the sales stand. Bernd Joe Schmidt, who has bought art surprise bags in recent years, is holding three in his hand: “These are for friends and family for Christmas,” says the city councilor. Norbert Jäger is equally pleased. “I am excited about the annual event. It offers a pleasant atmosphere in which to talk to the artists.” In his surprise bag, which he had already opened on site, he found an acrylic painting depicting a plant with colorful flowers. “The art wonder bags are simply a great combination of art and a good cause,” he thinks.
Donation to children’s aid foundation
For every surprise bag sold, the FFK donates five euros to the Children’s Aid Foundation. “This finances dance therapy for children with physical and motor disabilities at the Viktor Frankl School in Frankfurt,” says Johannes Schulze from the foundation’s board. “There the children learn how they can come into contact with the environment in a different way through dance.”
The guests are thrilled. Martin Walter, Alexandra Weber and Norbert Jäger proudly hold up their works of art in the presence of Kati Conrad, who is very enthusiastic about her project: “It totally suits our club. And it always makes me happy to be able to help children,” she enthuses, looking ahead to the campaign’s tenth anniversary in November 2025.
Additional bags can be purchased this week from Anja Kronier in the Buch 78 bookstore, Frankfurter Straße 78 – Mondays, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays to Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Martin Walter (second from left), Alexandra Weber and Norbert Jäger are happy about the contents of their surprise bags. Kati Conrad (left), deputy chairwoman of the FFK, is very satisfied with the success of the campaign. © Dietsche
What have been some of your most memorable experiences while participating in the FFK art wonder bags campaign?
Ded questions to guide the conversation and encourage the speakers to share more about their experiences:
1. Tell me about your artwork and how you got involved with the FFK art wonder bags campaign.
2. How does it feel to participate in this annual event and sell your art to support a good cause?
3. What makes the surprise bags unique compared to other art exhibitions or sales methods?
4. Can you describe the reactions of people who have bought the bags in the past and discovered the artwork inside?
5. How do you think the surprise bags encourage people to appreciate and support local artists?
6. As a participating artist, what kind of message do you hope to convey through your work?
7. Can you share some challenges that you faced in creating the artwork for the surprise bags?
8. How does it feel to see your art being sold to benefit children’s dance therapy?
9. What do you think sets the Children’s Aid Foundation apart from other charities, and why is it important to support them?
10. What advice would you give to artists who want to get involved with the FFK or other community art projects?
Open-ended follow-up questions:
– Can you tell me more about your creative process and the inspiration behind your work?
– How has participating in the FFK campaign impacted your career as an artist?
– How do you think events like these can help build a stronger sense of community in Neu-Isenburg?
– What do you think are some of the biggest challenges facing artists today, and how can we address them?
– What trends do you see emerging in the art world right now, and how do you stay up-to-date with them?
