After four decades in the art business and 35 years running the Hanse Gallery in Stralsund, Christine Beyer is passing the torch to her son Peter Conrad Beyer. The generational transition is taking place in the historic city hall building, where the gallery has attracted tourists and locals alike with its sophisticated art collection for many years.
When the new exhibition opens in early October, it will mark a significant milestone - the first show curated not by Christine Beyer, but by her son Peter Conrad Beyer. This transition represents the end of an era for one of Stralsund's most established art venues and the beginning of a new chapter under fresh leadership.
Running a gallery in Western Pomerania is far from a guaranteed success story, as Christine Beyer candidly admits. "You have to do something else to get rich," she says with a laugh, embodying the truth behind the saying that those who turn their hobby into their profession never have to work a day in their lives. Her passion for art has clearly driven her through decades of dedication to the gallery business.
The key to success in the gallery world, according to Beyer, lies in having a good instinct for both artists and customers. Local and regional art particularly resonates with visitors, including works by Elisabeth Büchsel, Hermann Lindner, Manfred Kastner, and Tom Beyer. The gallery's location in Stralsund also means catering to the many tourists who stream through the city, especially during summer months.
Beyond original artwork, which can often be too large or expensive for spontaneous vacation purchases, the Hanse Gallery offers carefully selected prints, jewelry, ceramics, and handcrafted items. "Tourists need to be factored in - they like to buy small mementos and memories or gifts to bring home from their vacation," Christine Beyer explains. "In such a prime location as Stralsund's city hall, you have to be prepared for that."
A walk through Christine Beyer's final exhibition reveals numerous red dots on the paintings - sold pieces that demonstrate her keen understanding of what visitors want to see and purchase. Her success in matching art with buyers has been built over years of experience and intuition about the market.
Christine Beyer's path to the art world wasn't predetermined. She discovered her calling through her husband, Peter Beyer, whose father was the renowned Stralsund painter Tom Beyer. Through him, she learned about life in an artistic family and found her own place within that world.
She began working in the state art trade of East Germany in 1985, which later became the Hanse Gallery after reunification. Her son was only seven years old when his mother's career in the gallery began, making his eventual path into art seem almost destined. Peter Conrad Beyer studied art in Braunschweig and Valencia before becoming an artist himself.
Since 2021, the younger Beyer has been back in the Hanseatic city, working and living there while preparing for his new role. His mother has naturally supported him on his journey to becoming a gallery owner, understanding that taking over a business involves much more than just art appreciation. "When you become self-employed and take over a trade, a gallery suddenly has surprisingly little to do with art," she notes. "Then it's about startup support, rental contracts, and appointments with authorities."
The transition has practical advantages, with Christine Beyer remaining accessible for guidance. "My mother will keep her key," Peter Beyer reveals, acknowledging the ongoing support while recognizing his need to establish his own voice and signature style. A gallery, after all, defines itself through the artists it exhibits and sells - preferably exclusively.
For Peter Beyer, art should challenge and inspire curiosity. His inaugural exhibition features the work of painter and graphic artist Ursula Strozynski. The show, titled "Light and Line," showcases large-format collages by the Berlin artist, along with etchings and a new cycle from her "Nets" series, marking the beginning of his own curatorial vision for the historic gallery space.
