endstation jam - from lost place to open air gallery Großenhainer Bahnhof

As part of the 1st openart Lausitz Biennale

From September 4 to 6, 2026, the openart Lausitz Biennale for Contemporary Art and the Kunsthalle Lausitz invite you to “Endstation Jam” on the grounds of the former Großenhain train station in Cottbus. For three days, around forty invited graffiti artists from all over Germany—from Lörrach to Rostock, from Munich to Kiel—as well as regional artists will gather to create new works of art right next to the tracks at Cottbus Central Station.

From a “Lost Place” to an Open-Air Gallery

The name refers to the unique venue: The area near the northern station exit, with its long-abandoned transshipment halls, the old railroad barracks, and other derelict spaces, has been a classic “lost place” for years. This makes it an ideal setting for the openart Lausitz Biennale, which, under the motto “Kunst formt Räume — art shapes spaces,” artistically highlights abandoned, overlooked, and structurally transformed sites in the Lausitz region.
Around Cottbus Central Station, the past, present, and future of rail are currently converging in a unique way. While the western end is home to Deutsche Bahn’s new ICE maintenance facility—one of the most modern in Germany—the eastern end is seeing a long-abandoned railway area transform into a creative hotspot, shaped by dedicated local cultural actors and new initiatives such as the Endstation Jam.

For the Endstation Jam, a large-scale open-air gallery is being created around the northern station exit. Numerous walls throughout the railway complex will be open for artistic design as part of the festival; a total of approximately 1,600 square meters of wall space is available for this purpose, much of it covered. The Jam will therefore take place regardless of the weather.

Forty graffiti artists from across Germany have been invited to showcase their work on the site. In addition, dedicated spaces are reserved for regional artists. In this way, Endstation Jam explicitly positions itself as a meeting place: Lusatian graffiti artists will meet invited artists from across Germany—with the goal of facilitating exchange, creating visibility, and fostering new networks.

A Festival for All Generations

With support from the City of Cottbus’s cultural funding program, the Endstation Jam’s accompanying program is specifically aimed at all generations. Planned activities include two graffiti workshops for children and teens, a DJ workshop, and performances by regional DJs who will provide musical accompaniment throughout the festival on all three days. Coffee, cake, beverages, and seating will also be available on-site for visitors.
A special highlight is Saturday evening, September 5: Concurrent with Endstation Jam, the exhibition of the openart Lausitz Biennale will open at the Kunsthalle Lausitz. This means that the Jam and the exhibition opening are linked not only geographically but also programmatically.

Admission to Endstation Jam is free, and registration is not required. There are no age restrictions. The event is explicitly aimed at a broad audience—including graffiti artists as well as art enthusiasts, families, local residents, and train travelers.

Endstation Jam is organized by the Kunsthalle Lausitz, which is providing the venue in collaboration with Bautec Immobilien Cottbus. The event is organized by the 1st openart Lausitz Biennale, without which this project would not be possible in its current form. Additional support comes from the spray paint manufacturer MTN as well as numerous local stakeholders. The accompanying program is made possible by the City of Cottbus’s cultural funding.