(from left) Sylvia Möller, Johannes Lassner, Luisa Diel with her latest oil painting “Dahlias”, Doris Heim and Manuela Henkel
On September 29, 2023, the 25th anniversary of the Werner Deschauer Foundation was celebrated with a festive reception at the ANNELIESE DESCHAUER Gallery. Judith Erb and Arno Volkmar from the Swing & Soul Band “C. Flat Duet” arranged the musical supporting program.
The moderation of the evening event was skillfully and charmingly taken over by Paula Rosa Henkel as a member of the Förderverein Kunst, Kultur und Wissenschaft Geisa. Wilhelm Heumüller, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Werner Deschauer Foundation, presented the Foundation and its statutory objectives in his ceremonial address. The foundation’s purposes include the promotion of charitable, cultural and non-profit purposes, the preservation of cultural values and historical monuments, youth and sports, the preservation of local history and customs, as well as ecclesiastical purposes. Afterwards all guests rose to the memory of the honorary citizen Werner Deschauer, who died on March 18, 2023.
Sylvia Möller, a member of the Board of Trustees for 25 years, showed a selection of the Werner Deschauer Foundation’s previous funding projects in a power point presentation. The largest funding projects included the Point Alpha memorial, the renovation of the Baroque Palace, the mobile stage for events and festivities, the memorial to the fallen and victims of war and violence, and the construction and furnishing of the ANNELIESE DESCHAUER Gallery.
Mayor Manuela Henkel congratulated on the anniversary and expressed her gratitude for the great commitment that the honorary citizen couple Anneliese and Werner Deschauer made for the benefit of their hometown. They would have left traces in many ways that will still be felt by future generations.
Afterwards, moderator Paula Rosa Henkel welcomed district administrator Reinhard Krebs, who attended the festive event with the cultural manager of the Wartburg district, Gloria Dittmar. The District Administrator was very impressed by the great achievements that have been promoted by the Werner Deschauer Foundation. He had always been very connected with many of the foundation’s projects, but also personally very familiar with the Deschauer couple.
Afterwards, the chairwoman of the sponsoring association, Doris Heim, spoke and thanked the association members, course instructors and artists present who have already exhibited here. “I can still remember the founding meeting of the sponsoring association in June 2017 well, we were 14 people and at that time we were determined to fill the gallery, which was still under construction, with life one day. Today we are 62 members and can proudly say that we have succeeded. Even though it often takes a lot of time and effort. But the honorary office is also an honor! And the results are something to be proud of.” Then she opened the special exhibition, specially displayed for the 5th anniversary of the gallery, with a cross-section of the 20 exhibitions, 13 lectures, numerous courses, book readings and events.
Mrs. Deschauer’s art collection is presented as a permanent exhibition with significant works by world-renowned artists. The changing special exhibitions enrich the offer. These included: Paintings by the painter Heidi Ritz from Geisa, Herbert Lochner from Dorndorf, Christina Zimmermann from Philippsthal, Luisa Diel from Bermbach, the Berlin artist Dikla Stern, by Erhard Röhr from Borsch and the Tuesday Painters, Franz Grapke from Geisa, the artists’ group RhönKunst Empfertshausen, Helga Leinhos from Pferdsdorf, Horst Saar from Vacha, the exhibitions of the photo circle and the children’s art exhibition “We love peace” with over 100 participating children.
Finally, there was a video presentation with moving moments of remembrance from the opening of the ANNELIESE DESCHAUER Gallery, compiled by the members of the photo circle, Dieter Kiel and Andreas Waitz.
In the further course of the evening, songs by Udo Lindenberg, Adele or Pink, among others, were heard, impressively performed by Judith Erb & Arno Volkmar, who delighted the audience. In addition, the team of the inn “Zum Goldenen Stern” from Geisa provided excellent catering for the approximately 70 guests of the festive event.
Photos:
Werner Ziesch/Support Association Art, Culture and Science Geisa e. V.