A weathered wooden house. Nestled between the pilot station and radar tower. This is Atelier Wilke.
The Atelier Wilke isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to Paul Ernst Wilke. Bremerhaven’s most famous marine and landscape painter. He built this small wooden house in 1947. He already lived in Worpswede. He frequently came here to paint. After his death his wife rented the house.
In 1984 demolition loomed. The Friends of Paul Ernst Wilke association formed. Through extensive modernization. They saved this artistic haven. Private and public sponsors helped. The restored Atelier reopened in July 1986. A memorial exhibition honored Paul Ernst Wilke. Former German President Richard von Weizsäcker was among the first visitors.
Artists from around the globe use the Atelier. Painters sculptors and photographers are frequent guests. Musicians and writers can also apply. At the end of their stay. Guest artists present their work to the public.
The building is painted blue and white. It remains a charming structure. Regular renovations maintain its beauty. A bright studio occupies the ground floor. A small kitchen and bathroom are included. A sleeping loft with two beds sits under the roof. It provides stunning views of the old fore harbor. The Geeste estuary and the Weser River.
In 2010 the Atelier walls received new insulation. The garden was redesigned. It features works by Atelier artists. The kitchen and bathroom were also renovated. The Atelier now enjoys protected monument status. Its future as an artists’ residence is secured.
Atelier Wilke is a Bremerhaven institution. Its reputation among artists is widespread. Years in advance the Atelier is booked solid. The unique atmosphere of a port city. The Atelier’s special location. These factors leave a lasting impression on most guests. Paul Ernst Wilke a Bremerhaven and Worpswede resident. He was a favorite of Bremerhaven’s art-loving public for over four decades. He remained true to representational painting. He was inspired by Impressionism. He painted landscapes harbors and urban buildings. He chronicled Bremerhaven’s history. He captured cheerful street scenes from before World War II. He documented the devastation after the bombing. Countless harbor scenes also fill his portfolio. His first wife Liese-Lotte Bunnenberg. She later became the world-famous singer Lale Andersen. Their song Lili Marleen is well-known.
More than his Atelier. The lively memories of a charming bon vivant. His gaze like Gary Cooper always slightly against the sun. He was a selfless colleague to other painters. For countless friends a role model of bohemian life. Atelier Wilke stands as a powerful reminder of his legacy. A legacy that continues to inspire artists today.