Surroundings

Surroundings is a multi-year participatory art programme and forms the social heart of the landscape art project Soundings – Listen to the Land, in collaboration with Theun Mosk / Ruimtetijd. Between 2026 and 2028, local artists, residents and schools will work together on new art projects in the Groninger Wadden region, with a particular focus on the municipality of Het Hogeland.

Where Soundings invites visitors to listen to the landscape, Surroundings takes this a step further by bringing people into conversation about their living environment, their stories and their connection to this place. Art here does not emerge separately from its surroundings, but grows out of the landscape and the community itself.

Fifteen local art projects

Over the course of three years, fifteen art projects will be realised — five each year — centred around three core themes:

2026: Belief – exploring rituals, spirituality, coming together and what gives people a sense of grounding
2027: Harvest – focusing on landscape, agriculture, food, and the gathering of stories
2028: Home – reflecting on staying, putting down roots, memories and new forms of belonging

The projects are created through co-creation: artists work closely with residents from different generations, from young people to older inhabitants. The outcomes may take the form of installations, performances, workshops, films or temporary meeting places in the landscape.

Stories that deepen the landscape

Surroundings makes visible and audible how people live in a landscape that is constantly changing. By connecting local stories, experiences and perspectives to art, the project strengthens the relationship between residents, the landscape and visitors. The artworks function as meeting places and conversation starters, contributing to pride, identity and liveability in the region.

Surroundings shows that landscape is not only space, but also memory, community and future.

Realisation: September 2026.

Curator: Gisanne Hendriks
Project manager: Lily Lanser
Production: Jenny van der Klok

The artists for 2026 are:
Suzanne Luurs
Beth Wong
Chris Schoonenberg
Anjet van Linge
Leonard Witte

Surroundings is made possible with the support of Stichting Beringer-Hazewinkel, the Municipality of Het Hogeland, and the National Programme Groningen.
The project is realised in collaboration with, among others, the Province of Groningen, Groninger Landschap, Landschapsbeheer Groningen, Staatsbosbeheer, Waterschap Noorderzijlvest, the Municipality of Het Hogeland and the Groninger Museum.