The year 2024 was a very special one for Kunsthalle Messmer, as we celebrated our 15th anniversary in the summer. Since opening in 2009, around one million visitors have shared our enthusiasm for art. During this time, around 50 groundbreaking exhibitions by renowned artists such as Picasso, Chagall, Niki de Saint Phalle, Warhol and many more have been realized.
The Messmer Collection has the world’s largest and most important collection of works by the Swiss artist André Evard (1876-1972). From 1913 onwards, Evard’s painting focused on geometric abstraction, making him one of the pioneers of this style in Switzerland. Dedicating a prize to this forefather of concrete-constructivist art has been a central concern of Jürgen Messmer since the Kunsthalle was founded. With 10,000 euros, the International André Evard Prize is now one of the most important awards for concrete-constructivist art and will once again attract art lovers from all over the world to Riegel this year.
Since 2013, a commercial gallery in the historic columned room of the former brewery has complemented the kunsthalle messmer.
Founded by Jürgen A. Messmer, it offers an exciting platform for young, up-and-coming artists and combines contemporary art with a unique atmosphere.
The Evard Collection is preserved and processed by the Messmer Foundation.
Selected works by the artist can always be discovered in the GALERIE MESSMER, the exhibition space belonging to the Kunsthalle.