I am July!

My contribution to the 2026 art calendar

Have you done anything good today? Or this year?

Every year, I try to make a positive contribution. I am especially happy when I can use my skills or my art for a good cause, as I did in 2023 with the 20x20 project. So it was perfect timing when I received the email announcing a call for submissions for a charitable project against violence against women.

They were looking for designs for a 2026 charity art calendar to raise money for a women's shelter. Under the motto “Art by women for women,” the Gelnhausen-based association “Aristanet” is producing the calendar for the fifth year in a row. In the first year, the designs came from a course offered in the women's shelter itself. Because the campaign was so successful, they decided to put out a call for artistic contributions in the second year. Since then, there has been a calendar theme each year under which works can be submitted. This year's theme is “Stand up!”

I immediately thought: I have just the right thing for that! Namely, my picture “Struggeling.” The motif was created as part of my HaBits series and deals with my struggle in relation to my smartphone use. As you can read in the article about the picture series, I deal with my ambivalence towards digital media in it. I see the connection to the motto “Stand up” primarily in the fact that looking up from your smartphone can be an act of standing up – against mindless consumption and for a self-determined, open encounter with the world.

This convinced the jury, because my picture was chosen and is now the motif for July. A total of 13 motifs were included – one for the cover and 12 for the months. The desk calendars, which are hand-folded by the association, are available for €10 – either at one of the advance sales outlets listed here or online. As the printing was sponsored, 100% of the proceeds go to the Wächtersbach women's shelter.

Folding the calendars – Used with kind permission from aristanet

A few words about this: Every year, thousands of women and children seek shelter in women's shelters because they are affected by domestic violence and have no other way out. The money raised from the calendar will not only help finance accommodation, but will also be used for prevention work so that, in the best case scenario, it doesn't come to that.

In return, the participating artists gain exposure, as each calendar page is accompanied by a text and links. We also had a photo shoot and the pictures will be used for press relations.

Official press photos – Used with kind permission from aristanet

There will also be two accompanying exhibitions: The winners will exhibit from November 6 to 28, and all participants will exhibit again in spring 2026. I cordially invite you to the opening reception on November 6, 2025, starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Sparkasse (Barbarossastraße 2-4, Gelnhausen)! Come by and raise a glass with us! By the way, the picture has already been sold and is only on loan.

P.S. The next 5 HaBits pictures are almost finished and will be presented here in the next blog post. A little sneak peek into the studio: