Museum Gouda honors Jo Koster's 50,000th visitor

Since its opening in mid-April, the exhibition "Jo Koster, Artist" has continued to attract visitors to Gouda. The 50,000th visitor to the exhibition was surprised with flowers this week. Thousands of people are discovering the city for the first time thanks to Jo Koster.

Visitors Kitty and Els from Utrecht were surprised by museum director Femke Haijtema with flowers, a gift package, and a cake at the Museum Café. The women from Utrecht came to Gouda especially for Jo Koster; one of them had never even been to the city before. "I always love to hear that," says Haijtema. It doesn't surprise her. "We know from audience research that 80% of visitors come to the city especially for Jo Koster. That's 40,000 extra day trippers, who often combine their museum visit with a bite to eat and a drink or an afternoon of shopping. Of these, 20% are visiting Gouda for the first time. And that's thanks to Koster's beautiful works of art!"

Inspiring and adventurous
Artist Jo Koster (1868-1944) shaped her own life against the grain. She earned her own money, built her own house, and traveled throughout Europe. Above all, she devoted her life to her art. The beautiful paintings and drawings in Museum Gouda show how she continued to develop and used different techniques for characteristic portraits and colorful landscapes. Koster continued to paint, even after she lost sight in one eye. Especially for blind and visually impaired visitors, the museum has therefore developed a program that includes a tactile painting. Families can also go on a journey in the footsteps of Jo Koster with a special suitcase.

Jo Koster, Artist can be seen until the end of the Christmas holidays. The exhibition is made possible in part by the Mondriaan Fund, Fonds 21, and the Cultuurfonds, with additional support from the Dubbel Breed Fund and the Straver Fund.

Visitors to Museum Gouda with director Femke Haijtema (right).
Photo: Lima Forografie.