60 Years – 60 Pictures: Art Auction Supports Construction of a New School in Ethiopia

Art for Education: Charity Event with Sustainable Impact

On the occasion of her 60th birthday, Styrian artist Karin Westreicher combines art with social commitment. Under the motto “60 Years – 60 Pictures,” she is making 60 watercolors and acrylic works available for a charity auction. All net proceeds will go towards the construction of the Zikiti Bakelo HPS, which is now the 21st school to be realized as part of the “School Ethiopia” project, led by Peter Krasser.

With the new school building, approximately 1,500 children in the Ethiopian highlands will gain access to quality education. This investment extends far beyond the construction of a building, creating long-term prospects for an entire region.

A Birthday Gift That Creates a Future

Instead of personal gifts, Karin Westreicher wishes for support for school construction. Her appeal is as simple as it is effective: “Don’t bring gifts, but take something with you.” Art enthusiasts have the opportunity to bid on an original work and, at the same time, make a concrete contribution to financing the new school.

The exhibition will open on August 13, 2026, at the Stadtgalerie Deutschlandsberg. The auction will take place on August 22, 2026, and can be followed both on-site and online. All exhibited works can be viewed at the Stadtgalerie during the exhibition period. Following the auction, the artist invites guests to a joint celebration with musical accompaniment.

Educational Building as a Collective Responsibility

The project impressively demonstrates how diverse stakeholders can contribute to the success of educational infrastructure. While architects, construction companies, and public clients work daily on the development of high-quality educational buildings, civil society initiatives also make a significant contribution to the creation of new learning environments.

With her anniversary auction, Karin Westreicher sends a clear message that cultural engagement and educational building can jointly achieve sustainable impact. Each auctioned work thus becomes a symbolic building block for a new school and for better educational opportunities for future generations.