A group of passionate citizens in Lauchhammer, Germany, has created a touching calendar for 2026 featuring artistic metalwork from their historic foundry in a desperate attempt to save the now-bankrupt Kunstgießerei Lauchhammer (Lauchhammer Art Foundry). The calendar tells the story of the foundry's unique heritage month by month, showcasing masterpieces that have traveled from Egypt to Chicago and highlighting the remarkable craftsmanship that has defined this artistic metalcasting city for generations.
Three dedicated members of the local Cultural and Heritage Association are leading this heartfelt rescue effort. Gerlinde Michaelis, 72, who serves as chairwoman of the Lauchhammer Cultural and Heritage Association, has joined forces with 82-year-old photographer Annemarie Feind and 68-year-old board member Bärbel Scherer to create what they consider a beacon of hope for their beloved foundry. The trio views their new hometown calendar focused on "Kunstguss" (artistic metalcasting) as more than just a publication – it represents their last hope for salvation.
"Maybe someone will get their hands on this calendar who wants to rescue our bankrupt Kunstgießerei Lauchhammer," the three women say with determination and hope in their voices. Their strategy is simple yet profound: by showcasing the incredible artistic legacy and international recognition that the foundry has achieved over the decades, they hope to attract the attention of potential investors or art enthusiasts who might be willing to step in and save this historic institution from permanent closure.
The Lauchhammer Art Foundry has a distinguished history of creating masterworks that have found their way to locations as diverse as Egypt and Chicago, demonstrating the international reach and recognition of German metalcasting craftsmanship. The foundry's techniques and artistic excellence have made it a significant cultural institution, not just locally but on a global scale, with its creations serving as ambassadors of German artistic heritage around the world.
The calendar project represents more than just a fundraising effort – it serves as a comprehensive documentation of the foundry's contributions to art and culture. Each month features different aspects of the foundry's work, telling stories of craftsmanship, artistic vision, and the skilled workers who have dedicated their lives to preserving and advancing the art of metalcasting. The organizers hope that by sharing these stories and images, they can demonstrate the irreplaceable value of what stands to be lost forever if the foundry cannot be saved.
