#UPSTJOSEF - An upgrade through community

The warm-up program for the international art biennial Manifesta 16 Ruhr, taking place in and around the former St. Josef Church in Gelsenkirchen-Ückendorf, has begun!

In close collaboration with Manifesta, we are launching our monthly workshop series #UPSTJOSEF. The square next to the St. Josef Church is being gradually transformed with the help of local residents and anyone interested. Benches, tables, color schemes, play areas, raised garden beds, and much more will be planned and built together using recycled materials. An upcycling upgrade through community!

The Ückendorf-based initiative Social BallerZ has also transformed the square and the interior of the former church into a temporary basketball court. The Gelsenkirchen-based project promotes team spirit, inclusion, and the joy of movement through the shared love of basketball.

The square and the church interior are thus becoming a place for new neighborhood collaboration. With #UPSTJOSEF, a revitalized space is emerging: the vacant building is being transformed into a place for collaborative creation, physical activity, and dialogue.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the kickoff so lively! The next event is on December 12, 2025. Sign up at up-st-josef@lala.ruhr! Come by and join in! Participation is free.

The Manifesta Biennial is an international art biennial that will bring art, urban space, and residents together next year with an extensive program centered around eleven other former churches in the Ruhr region.

Photos: Johannes Zell, Sebastian Schlecht, BallerZ