About 5 Corners Up!
From September 12 to October 18, 2026, 5 Corners Up! brings art to the heart of Antwerp. This freely accessible art trail spans twenty locations in and around Mechelsplein, Sint-Jorispoort, and Mechelsesteenweg—a neighborhood where history, craftsmanship, and local culture are closely intertwined.
The 5 Corners Up! art trail was born from a simple idea: art doesn't have to be viewed only in a gallery or museum. It is precisely in the settings of everyday life that art can make an unexpected entrance, surprise us, and suddenly make a familiar environment feel different. 5 Corners Up! features 30 artists across 20 locations. Fifteen emerging artists from Belgium and the Netherlands were paired with fifteen specialty shops, each with a distinct, unique character. Drawing inspiration from the shop itself—its craftsmanship, product range, and the stories behind the business—they created new work specifically for that location. Additionally, fifteen established artists from NQ Gallery are showcasing their work at other unique spots along the route.
As a visitor, you walk not only past art but also through a special part of Antwerp. You step into shops you might have often walked past, discover places you didn't know before, and see how art, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship can reinforce one another. The participating shopkeepers open their doors with curiosity, inviting you to view their businesses through fresh eyes.
The route begins at location number 1: NQ Gallery, though you are free to start at any other point. You can complete the entire circuit in just over an hour, or choose to linger somewhere, strike up a conversation, or come back another time. You are always welcome to step inside. No purchase is necessary, and no ticket is required.
5 Corners Up! is, above all, an invitation to wander, pause, and rediscover Antwerp through the art, people, and places that shape the city's character.
5 Corners Up! is an initiative of NQ Gallery—founded in 2021 by Niqui van Olphen—launched to mark the gallery's fifth anniversary. Driven by the belief that art should be accessible to everyone, NQ Gallery consciously brings art to locations beyond traditional exhibition spaces. This gives artists a platform in the heart of the city, while local specialty shops become active participants in Antwerp’s cultural landscape.
Artists: Natasja Alers, Alexandra Duprez, Anne Griffiths, Anne Silverstrand Forest, Caspar Berger, Francis Henri Vanhee, Hidetaka Suzuki, Lotte Wieringa, Mihael Milunovic, Johannes Nagel, Nick Ervinck, Samuel Sarmiento, Sara van Vliet, Alexander Tinei, Erwin Keustermans, Emely Deceuninck, Renee Bus, Leonie Chauchat, Simon Scharinger, Alexandra Puscas, Jan Janssens, Eden Berger, Mathilde Melsen, Amber Schaafsma, Lieze De Middeleir, Nout Schoonhoven, Dieuwke Jollema Gorter, Sven Boel, Kobe van den Hauwe, Zeli Bauwens
