UW Etzdorf

The UW-Etzdorf is a listed building in the municipality of Etzdorf in Strigisthal near Hainichen. Formerly used as a transformer station, the building offers the ideal opportunity for exhibition spaces and studios thanks to its unique architecture, large and small interior spaces. Its rural location is seen as an advantage, as it provides a creative space that is becoming increasingly limited in larger cities such as Chemnitz.

The Umspannwerk is designed as a meeting place, art and studio space and experimental area. The Rebel Art Gallery uses its space as an exhibition space for local and international artists, who can also work on a large scale here. As a Makerhub of the Capital of Culture Chemnitz, workshops and studios are being created that are open to everyone and extend the Capital of Culture concept to the countryside.

The aim is also to develop a cultural hotspot in rural areas and to promote regional products, companies and players. The Europäische Kunstgemeinschaft e.V. has included the ensemble of buildings in its MuralTrail programme Chemnitz2025 in order to bring a piece of the Capital of Culture to the countryside. We are specifically focussing on cooperation with local institutions in order to strengthen regional interests as well as international exchange.

The UWE Festival in May 2023 brought together a wide variety of local players, craftspeople, cultural workers and internationally active artists and activists. On the occasion of the Open Monument Day 2023, a very lively encounter between electronic club culture players and history enthusiasts took place. The building is now home to installations and exhibitions by a wide variety of artists. In January 2021, for example, the exhibition "Gegen das Warten", which became famous throughout Saxony, was on display.