The Carmel Christkindlmarkt will once again serve as host for a variety of German artists in their Werkstatt (“Workshop”) for guests to watch at work in real time.
For the first time this year, the Market will welcome two glassblowers from the world renowned glassblowing community in Lauscha, Germany. Falk Bauer and Katrin Zapf will be at the Market with glassblowing demonstrations Dec. 6 to 10.
“We are thrilled to have glassblowers joining our artists this year,” Carmel Christkindlmarkt CEO Maria Murphy said. “Glassblowing and woodcarving are such quintessential pieces of German artistry, and we can’t wait for our guests to see these works of art take shape in person.”
Artists will be in the Werkstatt on the following schedule:
Ringo Müller, Nov. 18 & 19
Ringo Müller is a fourth-generation woodturner from Seiffen, Saxony. Müller Schwibbogen and Christmas pyramids from the Erzgebirge have been a staple in German households and abroad for more than a century.
Markus Wagner, Nov. 22 to Dec. 3
Markus Wagner is the last remaining woodcarver at the Oberammergauer Schnürlkasperl. His witty creations and masterful artwork come alive as delighted kids and adults pull the strings of the beloved jumping jacks. Oberammergau is a small village nestled at the foot of the alps and famous for its Passionsspiele (“passion play”).
Falk Bauer & Katrin Zapf, Dec. 6 to 10
Falk Bauer and Katrin Zapf join the Market from the historic glassblowing community of Lauscha in Thuringia. No Christmas tree is complete without glass baubles and intricate Baumschmuck (ornaments) from Lauscha. Visitors can also try their hand at glassblowing and marvel at the delicate detail that these artists can coax out of molten glass.
Anja Werner, Dec. 13 to 19
Anja Werner is an instructor at the Kunsthochschule in Schneeberg – the region’s most prestigious art institute – where she learned the art of woodcarving and furniture making from the old masters. Werner took the old-world techniques and applied a modern twist to create her unique Holzgestalten (“wooden shapes”).
Joachim Seitfudem, Dec. 20 to 24
Meet Joachim Seitfudem, a prominent sculptor from Bad Kohlgrub, Bavaria, and watch him transform a plain tree stump into a masterpiece. Even though Seitfudem was raised in a family of artists, his talent to create meaningful sculptures is influenced by his life experiences and travel around the world.
The woodworkers will be in the Werkstatt to greet visitors during the Market’s open hours.
For a full look at the Market’s 2023 schedule, please visit CarmelChristkindlmarkt.com/schedule.
Photo provided