When the Rathsmühle in Celle is clad in scaffolding for its renovation, a public art exhibition takes shape on its façade. Selected paintings are shown as large-format printed banners on the scaffolding, clearly visible to everyone passing by. For a few months, a building site becomes an open-air gallery.
A landmark in transition
The Rathsmühle is one of the oldest sites in Celle. A mill on this spot on the river Aller is mentioned as early as 1378, and from 1389 it belonged to the town, which is how it came by the name Rathsmühle (the town-council mill). The present brick building dates from 1898/99, and flour was milled here until 2009. Today the mill is a listed monument.
Now a new chapter begins: as its owner, Stadtwerke Celle is having the building renovated in keeping with its listed status. The yellow render is coming off, the historic brickwork beneath is coming back into view, and a glass structure is set to crown the roof. It is precisely in this in-between period that the façade exhibition takes its place.
Art on the scaffolding
For the exhibition, Denk.Mal is issuing a public call for artists to submit their work. Selected paintings are printed as banners of around two by two metres and mounted on the scaffolding. According to the town, the scaffolding is expected to be in place from August 2026 to January 2027. The project is created in cooperation with the town of Celle and belongs to the Art & Culture programme group.
One possibility, as at an earlier exhibition by the team, is live spraying directly on the scaffolding, perhaps together with schoolchildren. For now this is an idea, not yet a firm commitment.
Not the first time
Back in 2020, the same team already turned a Celle façade into an exhibition. The Rathsmühle carries this idea forward at one of the most visible spots in the town, now under its own association Denk.Mal e.V.
At a glance
Who? The non-profit association Denk.Mal e.V. invites artists from Celle and the region.
What? Selected works are printed as large-format banners of roughly two by two metres and shown on the scaffolding of the Rathsmühle.
When? The scaffolding is expected to stand from August 2026 to January 2027. The submission deadline has been extended to 9 August 2026.
Where? At the Rathsmühle in Celle.
With whom? In cooperation with the town of Celle, on the scaffolding of the owner Stadtwerke Celle, and supported by the Soroptimist Club Celle. The project belongs to the Art & Culture programme group.
How to take part? Submit works to kunst@denkmalcelle.de, subject “Fassade”.
In the press
- Cellesche Zeitung: the Rathsmühle becomes an open-air gallery
- celleheute: the Rathsmühle becomes an art gallery
- Celler Presse: invitation to artistically shape the Rathsmühle
- celleheute on Instagram
In cooperation with
