Volkshortus Selwerd

Volkshortus

After two successful seasons, Volkshortus has found a new location behind Mispellaan 74-82. The Volkshortus was created by artists George Korsmit and Saskia Janssen.

It is a greenhouse for plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs. In short, for everything that grows and blooms! The plants in the greenhouse are chosen by local residents and represent the more than 80 nationalities in the Selwerd district.

Starting in the spring of 2026, you can once again enjoy the greenery at the Volkshortus and be inspired by the various plants. From then on, you can grow your own plants for free at the Volkshortus and indicate which plants you would like to see. Workshops will also be given for and by local residents.

Saskia Janssen en George Korsmit

The Amsterdam artist duo Saskia Janssen and George Korsmit often create social artworks using different media. The identity of the place and its inhabitants is the starting point. The duo recently won the Amsterdam Prize for Art with The Rainbow Soul club, an art studio in an Amsterdam shelter for the homeless and long-term drug users. The jury judged that the collective ‘breaks the boundaries between the artistic and social domain’. Volkshortus Selwerd is their first work in Groningen.

Inspired by Siep van den Berg

An interesting detail is the design of the tables in the greenhouse. It is based on the patterns and elements in the art of the Groningen artist Siep van den Berg. He made wall art throughout the neighborhood in the 1960s. View the work he made in Groningen here.

Activities

Volkshortus Selwerd regularly hosts activities for and by local residents. From spring 2026 you will find more information about this on this page.

Education

The educational program in the Volkshortus greenhouse for students from local primary schools has come to an end! We welcomed a total of 357 students from De Pendinghe, De Wegwijzer, and the Bekenkampschool. After a discussion about the ins and outs of the greenhouse, they drew plants of all shapes and sizes and then—this year in the greenhouse!—made a leaf shape from red clay, which they then decorated with white engobe and a skewer. The pieces were fired at Kamerlingh Onnes College and distributed to the schools last week. Students from the KOC will visit the greenhouse after the summer holidays and will work on a visual project.

LOCATION AND OPENING HOURS

The greenhouse is located in the courtyard behind Mispellaan 74-82.

The Volkshortus is currently closed: we will reopen in spring 2026.

CONTACT

Do you have questions or do you have ideas for plants you want to grow? Or do you want to sign up as a volunteer?

Please contact the artists at volksshortusselwerd@gmail.com

Volkshortus Selwerd was commissioned by Kunstpunt Groningen in collaboration with the Municipality of Groningen and Nijestee.