Sarah Mücke, a 31-year-old artist from Fulda, Germany, is preparing to showcase her artwork at the upcoming Malfestival25, where she aims to inspire women to recognize and embrace their own beauty through her paintings. The festival, organized by the Friends of the Vonderau Museum association, provides a platform for regional artists who typically receive limited public attention.
Mücke, who works full-time as a fitness trainer specializing in programs for people with dogs, has been painting as a hobby since childhood. She first gained recognition at amateur painting competitions during elementary school, where she won several prizes for her animal-themed artwork, particularly horses. During the pandemic, she rediscovered her passion for painting and shifted her artistic focus to portraying women, often painting them from behind.
Initially working exclusively in black and white, Mücke has recently embraced colorful watercolors in her artwork. "Beauty and fashion can simply be expressed better in color," she explained, adding with a smile, "That's why my paintings have become colorful." Her artistic mission centers on empowering women to appreciate their natural beauty. "Many women say things like 'I need to lose weight' and such. I believe every woman has her own beauty, and art emphasizes this even more," she stated.
This will not be Mücke's first public exhibition. She previously displayed her work at Malfestival23 during the State Garden Show, which marked her debut as an exhibiting artist. "That was the first time I ever displayed my paintings," she recalled proudly. Despite her previous experience, she admits to feeling nervous about the upcoming festival. "I've been thinking for a long time about which paintings to bring. I'm totally curious about how people will react," she shared.
For the selection process, Mücke relies on her family's input, stating, "I let my family decide, and I follow their selection." Each participating artist is permitted to present eight paintings at the festival. She particularly enjoys the interactive aspect of art exhibitions, explaining, "I especially like it when people walk by, pause at the paintings, and think. Then getting into conversations with people is simply wonderful."
Mücke expressed enthusiasm about the festival's location in the museum courtyard, noting, "The museum courtyard is quite small, but I really love our downtown area." She takes special pride in convincing her cousin to participate in the competition as well, calling it "totally cool." The artist is accompanied by her two four-legged companions, Helmut and Frieda, who feature in her professional life as a fitness trainer for dog owners.
The Malfestival25 is scheduled to take place on September 14th, starting at 10 AM in the courtyard of the Vonderau Museum. Participation in the event is straightforward and free of charge. Interested artists can register by sending an email to info@freundedesmuseums.de with the subject line "Malfestival," and registration materials will be sent to them. Alternatively, registration is available at the Vonderau Museum's front desk, which is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, with a deadline of August 31st for all registrations.
