ReVivoArtistry

“My Evening Painting Exhibition at HGB Leipzig: A Journey of Growth and Expression”
by Stefania Molinari

My Experience in the Evening Painting Course at HGB Leipzig

On June 18th, something truly meaningful came to a close: the final exhibition of the evening painting course at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst (HGB) in Leipzig. It marked the end of a summer semester full of growth, discovery, and creativity. For me, it wasn’t just about learning techniques — it was a journey of personal transformation and artistic recognition.

1. A Valuable Experience, Both Personally and Creatively

Joining the evening course at HGB quickly became much more than a weekly commitment. It turned into a space where I could fully focus on myself and my creativity — a place to experiment, to reflect, and to connect with others. Every session offered something new and unexpected, and under the thoughtful guidance of our teacher, Mussafer Qassim, I felt truly encouraged to explore and express my artistic voice.

What made the experience even more special was the sense of community that formed among us. Being surrounded by other artists — each with their own unique background, approach, and style — was incredibly inspiring. We learned from each other, supported each other, and grew together. It was a safe, motivating space where I felt free to take risks and try new things.

2. Discovering My Potential Through Technique and Exploration

One of the most exciting aspects of the course was how many different techniques we got to explore. From tempera and ink, to collage, oil, acrylics, and more — each material opened up a new way of expressing myself.

I loved getting my hands dirty, mixing techniques, layering textures, and letting the process surprise me. Through this experimentation, I started to recognize patterns in my own work — choices that felt natural and authentic. That’s when I began to truly feel like an artist. Not just because of the outcome, but because of the way I was starting to see and communicate through art.

This phase was so important for me. It helped me gain confidence, find my own artistic rhythm, and realize that I do have something to say — and the tools to say it.

3. The Final Exhibition: A Moment I’ll Never Forget

The final exhibition on June 18th at HGB was something I’ll carry with me for a long time. Seeing my work hanging on the walls, surrounded by the beautiful and diverse pieces of my fellow students from the other evening classes, was just… overwhelming — in the best way.

It was more than just a “show”; it was the emotional conclusion to months of effort, exploration, frustration, and joy. Friends, family, visitors, fellow artists — people wandered through the space, looking, asking questions, engaging. And I stood there, proud and a little stunned, realizing that I had created something worth sharing.

Being part of that moment made me feel recognized — not only by others, but by myself. It was the kind of experience that reminded me why I make art in the first place. And it gave me the motivation to keep going.

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A huge thank you to HGB Leipzig, to our teacher Mussafer Qassim, and to all my fellow students for making this journey so special. Art, during this semester, was so much more than just painting — it was about discovery, connection, and transformation.

More info on: https://www.hgb-leipzig.de/ and on https://musaferqassim.com/.