Gardens Become Galleries: 21 Swiss Hotels Launch Art Garten Hotels

A magnificent garden is more than just a backdrop - it is the soul of a hotel. This credo is embraced by the 21 members of the Garden Hotels Switzerland association. From April 2026, these establishments will take a step further and open their parklands for an exhibition series. Each hotel garden becomes an open-air gallery where sculptures and installations harmonize with the individual flora and architecture of the location.

100 artworks by 30 artists, tailored to 21 locations.

The 'Art Garten Hotels' project focuses on the craft of garden art and the creativity of Swiss artists. Through close collaboration with the Swiss Triennial of Sculpture Foundation (Bad Ragartz), 30 artists were selected whose artworks best suit each garden setting. Every garden - whether serving as a retreat, meeting place, or historic park - tells a new story through curated art. Moreover, the garden setting influences how the artworks impact visitors.

'With Art Garten Hotels, we are creating a connection that does not exist in this form throughout Switzerland,' says Fabian Weidmann, co-initiator of the Art Garten Hotels. 'We invite guests to experience art where hospitality is at home.'

After this year's edition, Art Garten Hotels is planned to take place again in 2027 and 2028, and be self-sustaining from 2029. The official launch for the first edition is in April 2026; the artworks are on display from April to November each year.

Competition for Key Visual in collaboration with ZHdK

In collaboration with the Fine Arts Department of the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), a competition among students was launched to create the key visual for the Art Garten Hotels 2026. The jury, composed of Carla Hohmeister (Bad Ragartz), Linda Peter (vitamin2), and representatives from the Garden Hotels, with advisory support from Pascal Siedler and Swetlana Heger-Davis from ZHdK, reviewed and judged all submissions. The work 'Dispersal I' by Alessia Belluscio impressed the jury and was selected as the key visual for 2026. The exchange with young artists opens up new perspectives, and collaboration with ZHdK will be further deepened in the future.

More information about the project is available at art.gartenhotels.ch.

About Art Garten Hotels

Art Garten Hotels brings contemporary art by Swiss artists into the gardens of 21 Swiss hotels. During the first edition from April to November 2026, over 100 works will be displayed in the gardens of Garden Hotels Switzerland. Each garden will become a unique open-air gallery, accessible free of charge.

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Garten Hotels Schweiz / Photographer: Alessia Belluscio