News
Publication date: 2026-09-23
“GREAT-ARTistic collaboration”: Schools make a statement for diversity and democracy Schools from the network 'School without Racism – School with Courage' (SoR/SmC) exhibit at the district hall
Oberberg District. "GREAT-ARTistic Collaboration" - under this motto, eight schools in the Oberberg district, part of the network "School without Racism – School with Courage" (SoR/SmC), have joined forces for an initiative: Through an art project, students are making a statement for peaceful, respectful, and solidaristic coexistence. At the same time, they are highlighting the importance of anti-racism and anti-discrimination work, democracy promotion, participation, and equality in everyday school life.
The schools have addressed the promotion of democratic school culture as a current and significant topic through this art project. Joint action, even beyond their own school boundaries, takes center stage.
"The GREAT-ARTistic artwork stands for diversity, respect, and solidarity. The committed students demonstrate impressively how dedicated and creative they have been in engaging with this powerful statement against racism and what collective engagement can achieve. This collaboration, characterized by solidarity, tolerance, and mutual appreciation, is the foundation for a democratic and diverse society," says District Administrator Klaus Grootens.
Individually designed image elements are combined into a coherent artwork
The participating schools each received 30 individual pieces to print on paper. These card-format templates were individually designed by students using colored pencils. Subsequently, the total of 250 individual pieces were assembled into an artwork. In this way, a collage measuring approximately 2 x 3 meters was created, uniting the diversity of individual contributions into a collective work.
"The artwork simultaneously represents the objective of the community initiative: Differences are not seen as divisions but as enrichment. Only through the collaboration of diverse contributions could the art project be realized. I therefore thank all participants from the Oberberg schools and the organizers who contributed to this," says Education Officer Stefan Heße.
The implementation of the art project was guided by Christa Wirths (Homburgisches Gymnasium), Janika Lücker (Jakob-Moreno-Schule), Lars Schubert (Wüllenweber Gymnasium Bergneustadt), and Bastian Voigt, regional coordinator for SoR/SmC schools in the Oberberg district.
Fortunately, the community project was completed in time for Intercultural Week, which is being celebrated in the Oberberg district under the motto "for it 2.0 – defying every intolerance and exclusion!" from September 26 to October 4. The large-format artwork is displayed in the foyer of the district office and can be viewed there by visitors during regular opening hours.
Youth from the following schools participated in this year's community initiative:
For further information, the regional coordinator of the "School without Racism, School with Courage" network for the Oberberg district, Bastian Voigt, is available:
Email bastian.voigt@obk.de and Phone 02261 88-1251.
