In this exhibition, participants of the Meervaart Jong Studio Classes present their work to the public. Each work shows how personal stories, curiosity, and imagination come together in art.

A year dedicated to portraiture
This season, portraiture was central. The young artists explored not only how to capture a face or person, but also how material, form, and technique contribute to the meaning of a work of art. They drew inspiration from artists such as Michael Borremans, Jasmijn Vermeeren, Erwin Olaf, and Lucian Freud.

The participants experimented with various ways of creating a portrait: two-dimensional or three-dimensional, realistic or abstract. Sometimes they worked individually during Open Studio, while at other times collaboration was key. This resulted in collaborative artworks in which ideas, techniques, and perspectives came together.

Discover, create, and grow
The exhibition primarily shows how important the creative process is. Within the studios, participants are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, try new techniques, and develop their own visual language. The joy of discovery forms the foundation.

The exhibition is therefore more than a presentation of final results. It is a glimpse into a school year full of creativity, perseverance, and personal growth. Each work tells something about the artist and about the journey taken to get there.

"At Atelier Meervaart Jong, we draw from diverse visual artists and art movements. The interpretation of each individual child is paramount. Discovering one's own artistic voice is what matters most. Creative thinking gives a certain freedom that children can apply everywhere." Teacher Ronald de Boer

Twenty years of Meervaart Jong
For twenty years, Meervaart Jong has offered children and young people aged 2 to 16 in Amsterdam the opportunity to discover and develop their talents. In weekly classes, they explore theater, dance, music, and visual arts. They learn to collaborate, tell stories, and find their own voice—on stage, on paper, or in an installation.

The Meervaart Jong Expo is a special moment each year when this development becomes visible for family, friends, and visitors to Meervaart.

About Meervaart Expo
The exhibition is part of Meervaart Expo. In our foyer next to the Blauwe Zaal, Meervaart presents multiple rotating exhibitions per year as part of Meervaart Expo. We provide a platform for visual artists, photographers, and illustrators whose work connects with themes that are alive in our theater program. The exhibitions are a visual deepening of current topics and give space to new voices, perspectives, and stories—often with a link to our city and its residents.

The Meervaart Jong Expo shows that inspiring art is not only created by established artists. Young artists also have stories to tell—stories that surprise, move, and show how powerful imagination can be.

The exhibition can be visited in the foyer next to the Blauwe Zaal. Be surprised by the talent, creativity, and distinctive vision of the artists of tomorrow.

Photos by Dave van Hout and Beyond Borders Productions.