Five Outdoor Art Experiences in Belgium, From Ostend to the Kempen

As Belgium's weather becomes more pleasant, opportunities for experiencing art outdoors are expanding beyond traditional museum walls. Several locations across the country are hosting unique exhibitions that blend artistic expression with natural landscapes and historical sites.

In Ostend, artist ROA returns with a large-scale bird installation at Fort Napoleon, which also features an exhibition on the origins of street art. Near Deinze, the Ooidonk Art Festival in Bachte-Maria-Leerne combines contemporary artworks with a 17th-century farm and a scenic walk along the Leie river. The region is also hosting the 10th edition of the Biënnale van de Schilderkunst.

For those interested in extensive private collections, the Art Center Hugo Voeten in Herentals and its 15-hectare sculpture garden in Geel offer works by both Belgian and international artists, including Panamarenko and Wim Delvoye. Visitors are encouraged to experience the art without immediate labels. Similarly, the Verbeke Foundation in Kemzeke presents a vast collection within a nature reserve and covered spaces, showcasing art in expansive settings.