Klaas Hartzema

Klaas Hartzema is not only an artist, but also co-founder of the Kunstzijn foundation, which aims to support people with mental or physical vulnerability in their artistic work.
Klaas has worked with the homeless, people with mental and/or physical disabilities and in the psychiatry GGZ recovery department. He gives painting lessons, makes murals, sets up exhibitions and organizes auctions for his participants.
In addition to his work in healthcare, he has always been busy creating himself.
Stimulated by a 70s upbringing and born near the Red Light District, his interest in art and people arose. The harsh reality, street life and the rough side of existence can also be seen in his work. His inspiration comes from many art forms and from painting such as contemporary art, graffiti, COBRA and comics.

Foundation Kunstzijn.
The foundation is aimed at artists with physical or mental vulnerability.
It was created from the need of its participants to share their work, which they made at home or during day care, with the outside world.
The makers often experienced a distance, lacked the resources or self-confidence, to put this into practice themselves. The foundation helps with this. It is committed to its artists and gives them a platform to grow in their existence.
The foundation organizes exhibitions, in which the makers are part of the result. The participants help with the promotion of an exhibition, involve their loved ones, help with the furnishing in both a gallery, in public places and in empty shops. The foundation focuses on participation, reintegration and recovery in the field of care and welfare.

Selling the work of the artists stimulates the self-reliance and autonomy of the participants. It makes them a serious part and socially involved, which is a major part of the recovery process.

This initiative was created from the work experience of founder and artist Klaas Hartzema.
He has worked for more than 25 years in the areas of care with various target groups and has experienced the effect of his initiatives on people in practice.

You can support the foundation, the participants and its initiatives through sponsorship or donations, or by purchasing a work in the online gallery: www.stichtingkunstzijn.com