While the lock down measures are slowly but surely getting retracted in Belgium, some galleries and exhibition spaces have decided to stay open to provide a summer of art for visitors of the city and locals alike, instead of taking their usual summer break.

Opening tomorrow is a group exhibition at Micheline Szwajcer presenting works by Ann Veronica Janssens, Daan van Golden and Heimo Zobernig. Sadly, in response to ongoing developments surrounding the Corona virus, the gallery has refrained from organizing an opening event. The show will run until July 31.

From July 3 onward, you'll be able to visit a new sculpture by artist Tramaine de Senna, marking the first in a new series of temporary commissions for the public space of the Stadspark, Antwerp’s main municipal park, called Public Figure, initiated and curated by Samuel Saelemakers, Curator Collectie Kunst in de Stad (Public Art Collection for the City of Antwerp). Since its inauguration in 1869, the park is adorned with statues and monuments depicting or celebrating noted historical figures such as painters and poets, monarchs, and military men. Now, a disused stone plinth offers contemporary artists the opportunity to add new figures to this vacant space and by doing so, reflect upon the meaning of public representation today. The sculpture can be found in the City Park (nearby the playground), Rubenslei, 2018 Antwerp, and will stay put until April 18th, 2021.

Coming weekend, De Zwarte Panter is opening with three solo exhibitions by artists Benjamin Demeyere, Greet Martens and Frank Wagemans. All have a background in painting, while Wagemans is also launching a book and edition. Visit the gallery from 11-19h, at limited capacity of course.

"Every crisis is a chance to build something new" says DMW Gallery. They've taken the opportunity to offer a revamped and extended summer program. You can visit the finissage of the still running duo show 'Rhymes and Enantiomorphs' by Denitsa Todorova and Stephan Balleux, on July 11th, while shortly after on July 23, DMW opens 'this place / displaced', a summertime group show bringing together the works of 10 artists from Belgium and the Netherlands. The ten names are Hadrien Bruaux, Fia Cielen, Filip Collin, Céline Cuvelier, Kaspar Dejong, Antoine Lortie, Natasja Mabesoone, Emilie Terlinden, Bas van den Hout and Markus von Platen.

Another large group show, specifically put together to make up for lost time, is Summer 2020 at De Wael 15. The show opens July 26 and runs until August 15, featuring artists Eric De Smet, Stefan Annerel, Yvan Derwéduwé, Charlie De Voet, Martha scheeren, Kristel Van Ballaer, Alessandra Ruyten, Jo Op de Beeck, Luc Gees and Jan De Nys.

Numerous exhibitions have exceptionally extended their runs well into the summer months, like Zeno X's solo show of Marlene Dumas, the group exhibition Cercle et Carré on circles and squares at Callewaert Vanlangendonck Gallery and KETELEER Gallery's Group Exhibition, showcasing their entire cast of artists, offering them a rightful place in the spotlight during these trying times.

For a complete list of summer exhibitions, check out our agenda on antwerpart.be and subscribe to our newsletter below for updates on future exhibitions.