Waterscape Reden in Transition: Steiger Gallery Launches in September
Where the history of mining is still visible today, a new chapter begins in September: With the Steiger Gallery, a long-term transformation process is starting in the Waterscape of the Erlebnisort Reden. From September 25 to October 25, 2026, a four-week pilot phase will connect contemporary art with industrial culture and test new cultural uses for the site.
The project is supported by a funding amount of 200,000 euros from the State Chancellery of Saarland, as well as an additional 200,000 euros from the Ministry of Education and Culture. The public launch will be the three-day Steiger Gallery Opening from September 25 to 27.
Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger: “A place of visible structural change and the cultural identity of our Saarland itself undergoes change. We want to maintain and increase the touristic attractiveness and further develop the Erlebnisort Reden and its radiance within Saarland and beyond our borders in the long term.”
This pilot phase is neither designed as a one-time event nor as a final result. It marks the first visible step in a long-term development process of the site. New uses will be tested, experiences gathered for further planning, and additional perspectives included. The insights gained from this will flow into the further development of the Waterscape.
The Steiger Gallery represents a contemporary understanding of industrial culture: The history of mining and the special landscape and architectural character of the Waterscape remain visible. At the same time, contemporary art and cultural uses open up new possibilities to discover and experience the Erlebnisort.
Minister of Education and Culture Christine Streichert-Clivot: “As a miner’s daughter, I know: industrial sites are part of our identity and deserve to remain alive for future generations. The Steiger Gallery impressively shows how contemporary art opens new perspectives on these places, connects past and present, and invites people to actively experience and shape culture. This way, former workplaces become open spaces for encounters, creativity, and cultural participation – an important impetus for the future of our industrial culture.”
The focus of the pilot phase is on artistic interventions in public spaces. Works from the fields of installation, sculpture, mural, light, media, and sound art will be shown. They address themes such as industrial history, mining culture, architecture, nature, and social change, opening new perspectives on the site.
Which artists are involved and which works will be exhibited will be announced with the complete program.
The opening will take place from September 25 to 27, 2026, with the three-day Steiger Gallery Opening. Regional and international contributions from art, music, and street theater, culinary offerings, as well as a Creator Market featuring products from the cultural and creative industries.
An accompanying Call for Concepts is intended to open the development process for further ideas and perspectives. The complete program, participating artists, as well as information on opening hours and participation conditions for the call will be published in a second press release and via the digital channels of the Steiger Gallery.
Key dates at a glance:
·Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27, 2026
STEIGER GALLERY OPENING
The cultural weekend at the Waterscape Reden
Art · Music · Street Theater · Culinary Arts · Creator Market
·Friday, September 25 to Sunday, October 25, 2026
STEIGER GALLERY
New Industrial Culture
Location: Waterscape at Erlebnisort Reden
Am Bergwerk Reden 10
66578 Schiffweiler
About the Steiger Gallery
The Steiger Gallery is a project of Industriekultur Saar GmbH. The project is financed by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Saarland and the State Chancellery of Saarland. The Steiger Gallery is implemented together with the Zweckverband Erlebnisort Reden, the K8 Institute for Strategic Aesthetics gGmbH, Prospektiv e.V., as well as saaris – saarland innovation and Standort GmbH, Department of Creative Industries/Dock 11.
Further information:
Website:
www.steiger-gallery.de
Instagram:
@steiger.gallery
Directions and current information on accessibility:
www.erlebnisort-reden.de
General information about the venue
Zweckverband Erlebnisort Reden
Address: Am Bergwerk Reden 10, 66578 Schiffweiler
Phone: +49 6821 97292-20
Email:
info@erlebnisort-reden.de
