Artist Helga Reimann, one of the founding members of the Open Studios initiative in Göttingen County, will participate in her final open studio event this September after nearly two decades of involvement. The 86-year-old painter from Dransfeld plans to find new homes for approximately 600 of her artworks, donating the proceeds to support a local arts festival.

When 60 artists from Göttingen County open their doors to visitors during the first and second weekends of September for the annual Open Studios event, it will mark a bittersweet farewell for Reimann. She has participated in the program since its debut in 2007, missing only one year throughout its history. "I'm now 86 years old, and the organizational effort that my husband and I must undertake for the Open Studios is simply too great," Reimann explained, reflecting on her decision to step back from the demanding event.

Reimann's artistic journey began much earlier in life but was rekindled 20 years ago. Growing up in Hannover, she was an enthusiastic athlete who studied to become an elementary and middle school teacher. She worked in education while raising a family, but her creative interests remained dormant for many years. "My interest in creative work was awakened and fostered early on through excellent art instruction at Ricarda-Huch School in Hannover under Ernst Wolfhagen," Reimann recalled. The foundations of design theory she learned during her studies at Hannover University of Education helped her create engaging and attractive lessons for her students, though her personal artistic activities took a backseat during those years.

Life brought the family to Dransfeld in 1981 due to her husband's career change, where Reimann continued teaching until her retirement. After spending another ten years deeply involved in volunteer work focusing on senior sports and choir singing, she rediscovered artistic creation in 2005. "At that time, I explored acrylic paints and canvas for myself," Reimann explained. Working under the artistic brand "EigenART," her creative focus expanded beyond pure color painting to include collages and assemblages. "I have a tendency to collect and experiment with materials," she noted, describing her artistic approach.

Over the past two decades, Reimann has created approximately 800 paintings in various sizes, establishing herself as a prolific local artist. "Each year I chose a different theme and then presented these paintings as part of the Monument Art - Art Monument Festival (DKKD) in Hann. Münden or at various other exhibitions," she said. Her systematic approach to thematic exploration has resulted in a diverse body of work that reflects both consistency and evolution in her artistic vision.

Now feeling the weight of her extensive collection, Reimann has decided it's time to part with many of her approximately 600 remaining artistic works. For this year's Open Studios event, she plans to open her entire Dransfeld home from basement to attic, where she stores her paintings. "My paintings can be acquired in exchange for a donation to DKKD 2026 in Münden," Reimann announced. Her motivation is deeply practical and thoughtful: "At my age, I simply want to relieve myself of much in my life before it ends up in estate disposal," the 86-year-old explained, hoping for a strong response that will help grow the Monument Art Festival's donation account.

Despite stepping away from the Open Studios program, Reimann has no intention of abandoning art entirely. "I simply cannot stop; something very important in life would be missing," she emphasized. Her commitment to creativity remains strong, and she has already confirmed her participation in next year's DKKD Festival with her own solo exhibition, proving that age and organizational challenges won't diminish her passion for artistic expression.