Bildhau & De Beeldhouwwinkel: Sculpting together for 30 years

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Sculpture Network we’re looking back on important partnerships that have helped the organisation and the artist we support grow stronger. Together Bildhau and De Beeldhouwwinkel have been providing specialist support to sculptors across Europe for 30 years.

Bildhau, is a specialist retailer for tools and materials for sculpture based in Cologne and has been a member since 2009. They work closely with the De Beeldhouwwinkel located in the Netherlands. Bildhau and De Beeldhouwwinkel are deeply connected — not only through their founding ethos and ownership by a shared foundation, but also through a common mission: To empower sculptors with the tools, knowledge, and community they need to create.

We are proud to spotlight a Sculpture Network member that is committed to fostering a vibrant, supportive space for three-dimensional art across Europe and beyond. 

From Student House to Sculpture Hubs: Bildhau & De Beeldhouwwinkel

What began as a shared renovation project between two friends in a student house in The Hague has grown into a cross-border success story in the world of sculpture. Reinoud van Bemmelen and Carsten Langediers, founders of De Beeldhouwwinkel (NL) and Bildhau (DE), transformed their passion for craftsmanship and sculpture into two thriving businesses.

Reinoud, a sculptor and teacher, started importing quality tools and materials in the 1990s when he couldn’t find suitable supplies for his Waldorf school classes. His initiative quickly evolved into De Beeldhouwwinkel—a go-to sculpture supply shop in The Hague.

Carsten, a master carpenter with a love for design and making, followed suit a decade later. He founded Bildhau in 2005, bringing high-quality materials and tools to sculptors and artists in Germany.

Now with over 20 years of experience, both businesses offer a rich and growing range of tools and materials for stone, wood, clay, ceramics, bronze, and more—serving a vibrant community of sculptors across Europe.

30 Years of Sculpting together

2025 marks an important milestone for both Bildhau and De Beeldhouwwinkel alongside Sculpture Network. Bildhau has spent 20 years supporting artists in Germany and De Beeldhouwwinkel has spent 30 years supporting artists in The Netherlands. Both businesses were born out of a lack of access to quality materials and since their opening they have provided boutique service to their community.

In 2025, De Beeldhouwwinkel are celebrating their milestone 30th anniversary with the upcoming festwoche from June 17 to 21 in The Hague and from July 1 to 5 in Zutphen. 

For Bildhau, their 20th anniversary will be celebrated with the opening of their new location Brühl. After 20 wonderful years, they are leaving the southern part of Cologne to open a new location that offers more space and more opportunities—for example, to host sculpture courses directly on-site. This development will allow as many people as possible the chance to discover sculpture, learn something new, try things out, and meet colleagues. Sculpture Network members are invited to celebrate the new store and 20th Anniversary on June 28, 2025.

A Strong Partnership Rooted in Community and Creativity

Bildhau and De Beeldhouwwinkel have long-standing partnerships with Sculpture Network, united by a shared mission to connect and support the sculpture community across Europe.

At Bildhau in Cologne, the collaboration came to life through New Year’s brunches hosted as part of Sculpture Network’s “start” events. These gatherings brought together customers, sculpture enthusiasts, and academic partners like the Alanus University in Alfter, creating a rich environment for dialogue, discovery, and celebration—complete with hands-on activities, and live broadcasts from Sculpture Network events across Europe.

Meanwhile, at De Beeldhouwwinkel in The Hague and Zutphen, the partnership thrives through active involvement in Sculpture Network’s Dutch and Belgian “Dialogues”. The stores serve as dynamic hubs where Sculpture Network members and local artists come together not just to find materials, but also to learn, collaborate, and teach through sculpture courses and community engagement.

Looking ahead, Carsten Langediers from Bildhau shares,“ we hope that Bildhau and De Beeldhouwwinkel will continue to be—and increasingly become—places where sculptors meet and exchange ideas, and where people can discover sculpture for themselves. All in the spirit of the vibrant network championed by Sculpture Network!”

Together, Bildhau, De Beeldhouwwinkel, and Sculpture Network form a vital network of support, inspiration, and connection for sculptors across Europe. Join us to celebrate these milestone anniversaries together: De Beeldhouwwinkel’s upcoming festwoche runs from June 17 to 21 in The Hague and from July 1 to 5 in Zutphen. Celebrate Bildhau’s new location on June 28, 2025.

Myfanwy Halton wrote this text in English.