On 11 October 2026, a historic church in Kalken became a meeting place for contemporary art, local heritage and the people who bring both to life.
For Kunst in de Kerk (Art in the Church), artists and visitors gathered at the Sint-Denijskerk in Kalken, Belgium. Organised by LakArt, the artists' collective of Laarne and Kalken, the exhibition brought paintings, sculptures and other artistic work into a setting more often associated with history and quiet reflection.
The result was not simply a display of artworks. It was also an opportunity to encounter local creativity in an unexpected place, to exchange impressions and to see a familiar building from a different perspective.
Art in dialogue with its surroundings
Inside the church, paintings on easels stood alongside carved wooden panels, stained-glass windows and centuries-old architectural details. The colour and energy of contemporary work created a contrast with the historic setting, while the surroundings gave each piece another dimension.
Even individual objects took on a different character here. A sculpted fish, for example, stood in front of dark wooden panelling, its playful form drawing the eye against the formal architecture.
A church is not a neutral exhibition space. Its scale, light and decorative elements inevitably become part of the experience. At Kunst in de Kerk, that relationship between art and place was one of the reasons to pause and look more closely.
More than an exhibition
Artworks may bring people into a space, but conversations often give an exhibition its lasting character. Visitors moved between the displays, shared observations and talked together in the aisles of the church.
These informal encounters matter. A work of art can start a conversation without requiring specialist knowledge. One visitor may be drawn to a colour or material; another may see a personal memory or an unexpected idea. The exhibition offered room for those different responses.
Creativity at the heart of village life
Held on Sunday 11 October 2026, alongside the atmosphere of Kalken's local farmers' market, Kunst in de Kerk placed the work of local and regional artists within the everyday life of the village.
The setting made it easy for curious visitors to step inside and discover something new. It also showed how a local artists' collective can connect makers, audiences and heritage through a shared cultural experience.
For LakArt, initiatives like Kunst in de Kerk are a way to give artists from Laarne, Kalken and the surrounding area a platform while inviting the wider public to engage with their work.
When art brings people together
Kunst in de Kerk 2026 offered a reminder that meaningful encounters with art do not have to happen in conventional galleries. A historic building, a diverse group of artists and an open invitation to the community can create an exhibition with a character all its own.
Event: Kunst in de Kerk 2026 · 11 October 2026 · Sint-Denijskerk, Kalken, Belgium
Based on LakArt's original article. Photographs courtesy of LakArt.