Where the history of mining is still visible today, a new chapter begins in September: With the Steiger Gallery, a long-term transformation process starts in the Water Garden of the Erlebnisort Reden.
From September 25 to October 25, 2026, a four-week pilot phase connects contemporary art with industrial culture and tests new cultural uses for the site. The project is supported by a funding amount of 200,000 euros from the Saarland State Chancellery, as well as another 200,000 euros from the Ministry of Education and Culture. The public kickoff is formed by the three-day Steiger Gallery Opening from September 25 to 27.
Minister President Anke Rehlinger: “A place of visible structural change and the cultural identity of our Saarland is itself undergoing change. We want to preserve and increase the tourist appeal and further develop the Erlebnisort Reden and its radiance in Saarland and beyond our borders in the long term.”
This pilot phase is neither designed as a one-time event nor as a completed result. It represents the first visible step of a long-term development process for the site. New uses will be tested, experiences will be gathered for further planning, and additional perspectives will be included. The insights gained from this are to flow into the further development of the Water Garden.
The Steiger Gallery stands for a contemporary understanding of industrial culture: The history of mining and the special landscape and architectural character of the Water Garden 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 for these places, connects past and present, and invites people to actively experience and shape culture. Thus, former workplaces become open spaces for encounters, creativity, and cultural participation as 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 and open new perspectives on the site.
Which artists are involved and which works will be shown will be announced with the complete program.
The kickoff is 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 with offerings from the culture and creative industries.
An accompanying Call for Concepts aims to open the development process for further ideas and perspectives. The complete program, the 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.
Dates at a glance:
- Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27, 2026
STEIGER GALLERY OPENING
The cultural weekend in the Water Garden Reden
Art · Music · Street Theater · Culinary · Creator Market
- Friday, September 25 to Sunday, October 25, 2026
STEIGER GALLERY
New Industrial Culture
Location: Water Garden in the 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 Saarland State Chancellery. The Steiger Gallery is realized together with the Zweckverband Erlebnisort Reden, the K8 Institute for Strategic Aesthetics gGmbH, Prospektiv e. V., as well as saaris – saarland innovation und standort GmbH, Creative Industries/Dock 11 department.
