Discover two special exhibitions in the Catharinakapel Harderwijk: felt art by Nathalie Roelofsen and narrative paintings by Joke Rijneveen. Come and take a look!
The Catharinakapel in Harderwijk presents a double exhibition featuring work by two exceptional artists: Nathalie Roelofsen (Vilting Fingers) and Joke Rijneveen . Both artists bring their unique visual language to the atmospheric, historic chapel — a place where high vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows form the perfect backdrop for art that invites reflection and discovery.
Exhibition 1: Nathalie Roelofsen – Felt with heart and soul
In the Vilting Fingers studio, Nathalie Roelofsen creates unique felt works, made with hands, heart, and intuition. From feeling, colorful hats, soft shawls, and serene objects emerge, each with its own character and story. She designs and makes her own molds and works with wool as if painting . Nature is her greatest source of inspiration and constantly recurs in form, color, and material.
Painting with wool
Nathalie's felt sculptures—paintings made of wool—bring warmth and depth to a space. In her recent work, she combines felt with natural branches in wreaths, bringing the outdoors inside. Each piece is created intuitively and invites the viewer to look, feel, and pause to appreciate detail and layering.
Connection and softness
A special work is the Hemelwieg (Heavenly Cradle) , a comforting object for a small farewell to a great miracle. With her background as a florist and costume designer/dressmaker, Nathalie knows how color, form, and material complement each other. In her studio, she gives workshops and cherished days, where creativity and personal stories come together.
Exhibition 2: Joke Rijneveen – Story in pictures
Joke Rijneveen takes the viewer into alienating, narrative worlds where reality and imagination intertwine. A circus tent on the beach, a barrel organ that seems able to play music — her paintings appear frozen in a moment full of expectation, in which every detail could be a clue to what is unfolding, or perhaps not.
layering and surprise
Behind seemingly calm scenes often lurk unexpected elements, such as a menacing polar bear, a hunter, or a subtle disturbance. This layering ensures that her work unfolds slowly and continues to surprise with every new visit.
Craftsmanship and training
Rijneveen works with oil paint on canvas and panel and has a keen eye for detail and atmosphere. She trained at the Academy of Visual Arts in Amersfoort and subsequently studied art history at Leiden University, which contributes to the rich visual language in her work.
About the Catherine Chapel
The Catharina Chapel is an iconic, historic location in the heart of Harderwijk, with walls over 500 years old. The chapel offers a unique setting for cultural events, from intimate concerts and theatrical performances to beautiful exhibitions. The impressive architecture and atmospheric interior always make a visit a special experience.
- Location: St. Catherine's Chapel, Harderwijk
- Two exhibitions on display at the same time
- Art, craft, and story in a historical setting
Visit the Catharinakapel website for current opening hours and more information.
