On a tour around Bierbeek with Atelier t
"Which studios would you visit?" In a flood of about 1500 studios, making choices can get more difficult. Therefore, not Kunstwerkt, but six participating artists solve the question. The result? An equal amount of routes along studios worth visiting. In this article Niels Goovaerts of Drukwerkplaats Atelier t leads you around Bierbeek.
On Drukwerkplaats Atelier T
Atelier t is an open, artistic workshop for slow printing in Bierbeek. The studio is a project by Katleen Vereecken and Niels Goovaerts. A new, spacious and well-equipped studio was built in the spring of 2022. There are three excellent test presses and an extensive collection of lead and wooden letters. There is also a small library.
If you want to learn about letterpress printing (typesetting), the studio offers workshops and master classes. Or you can come up with your own project, and Atelier t will offer you tailor-made guidance.
Atelier Keramiek
Niels: “Atelier Keramiek is the ceramic studio of Erik De Greef. He not only creates functional ceramics such as bowls and cups, but also sculptures and statues. In the studio, you can also participate in workshops tailored for your own group, or an evening series in collaboration with the cultural center CC De Borre in Bierbeek.”
Sanne Vanhellemont
Niels: “In neighbouring Boutersem, there are quite a lot of workshops you can visit during Atelier in Beeld. I would first and foremost drop by Sanne Vanhellemont. Among other things, she paints on panels, with birds being a recurring theme in her work. I've heard word that her son Milan would also be exhibiting some work during the open studio weekend.”
Bert Keyaerts
Niels: “A little further on in Roosbeek, you will find Bert Keyaerts' studio. He is a furniture designer, but his passion is woodturning. He makes vases and bowls from fresh wood, mainly from local trees. Technically, this is quite a challenge. So anyone who loves wood should definitely pay a visit here. I really like his attention to detail: each object comes with a card on which you can find the specific tree from which it was made.”
Nog meer in Boutersem
Niels: “I also think Alice Kerkhaert's painting studio in Kerkom is fascinating. In Boutersem, there are also two ceramics studios (Eva Vanmol and Lieve Broothaers) that are not to be missed and then you also have Veroniek Dutré with graphics and jewellery.”
Alice Kerkhaert
Eva Van Mol
Lieve Broothaerts
Veroniek Dutré
Get on your bike!
During Atelier in Pictures, you can ride Blue-bike for free to visit studios. Take a train into town and then hop on a bike to visit all the studios in the area? Perfect!