Shaped by the City: A Creative Journey through Leipzig and Dresden

Abhainn Wheeler is a ceramic artist from Wicklow and Clay City’s first Graduate Resident. Clay City is a year-long collaboration between Staycity and Dublin-based community ceramics studio Throwing Shapes, supporting emerging and established artists with studio space, mentorship and accommodation. As part of the partnership, Staycity commissioned Abhainn to create a new ceramic piece and invited her on an inspiration journey through Dresden and Leipzig, where she explored the cities’ art, architecture and creative communities before returning to Dublin to develop the work.

Discovering the art, architecture and creative spirit of two remarkable German cities and finding inspiration for a piece of my own. Travelling as part of the Clay City partnership, I set out to explore two of Germany’s most fascinating creative destinations, gathering inspiration for a piece I would make in response to the experience. What I discovered was a wonderful contrast between the two cities: Dresden’s architectural beauty and rich artistic heritage, and Leipzig’s independent spirit, experimental energy and thriving contemporary art scene. Both offered something different, and both gave me plenty to think about creatively. Here’s how the journey unfolded. 

Leipzig: A city that invites you to experiment

There’s a distinctive energy to Leipzig. It has a fascinating industrial past and a contemporary art scene that feels wonderfully alive.

One of my biggest recommendations is the Leipzig Cotton Mill, or Spinnerei. Once a vast industrial cotton mill, the complex has become an important centre for contemporary art, with galleries, studios and creative businesses occupying its former factory buildings. It's a brilliant example of how an old industrial space can be given a completely new purpose. Walking through an environment like this makes you think about the relationship between a place and the people who use it. The original brickwork, expansive windows and industrial architecture provide a backdrop for new ideas, while the artists working there bring their own interpretations and perspectives.

While visiting I got to meet the Ceramic Artist Claudia Biehne and get an inside look at her incredible studio and gallery. It’s open to the public and you can go and see her amazing sculptural masterpieces that are a celebration of the textures and colours of the natural world. For someone travelling with a creative project in mind, it's an inspiring place to spend an afternoon.

I also recommend exploring Plagwitz, the western district known for its industrial heritage, independent businesses and artistic atmosphere. Former factories, waterside paths and converted buildings give the area a character all of its own. The Karl-Heine Canal is particularly appealing if you want to take a break from galleries and museums and experience the city at a gentler pace.

Beyond the contemporary art scene, Leipzig has plenty to offer culture lovers. The Museum of Fine Arts is worth adding to your itinerary, while the GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts is an excellent choice for anyone interested in design and craftsmanship.

What I appreciated most about Leipzig was its sense of possibility. Creativity here doesn't feel restricted to galleries or traditional art spaces. It spills into the streets, the buildings, the independent shops and the everyday rhythm of the city.

Dresden: Finding beauty in the details

My time in Dresden began with a sense of awe. There’s something special about arriving in a city where architecture seems to tell a story at every turn. Known for its magnificent Baroque buildings, Dresden has a visual richness that makes simply wandering around feel like an experience in itself.

The historic Old Town was an obvious starting point. Walking through its grand squares and along streets lined with ornate façades, I found myself constantly looking up, noticing the intricate details, decorative patterns and contrasts between light and shadow. The Frauenkirche, with its impressive dome, was a particular highlight, as was the Zwinger Palace, whose elaborate architecture and beautiful courtyards offer a glimpse into Dresden's artistic past.

What struck me most, though, was how the city’s history and creativity coexist. Dresden has endured extraordinary destruction and reconstruction, and that sense of renewal adds another layer to its beauty. There’s a reminder here that creativity isn't simply about making something beautiful; it can also be about rebuilding, reimagining and finding new meaning in what already exists.

For anyone interested in art, I’d recommend visiting the Old Masters Picture Gallery and the Albertinum. The former offers an opportunity to spend time with some extraordinary works of European art, while the latter provides a fascinating perspective on painting and sculpture from the Romantic period through to contemporary practice. Together, they reveal just how varied Dresden's artistic heritage is.

A big part of my visit to Dresden was travelling by train to the town of Meissen and the famous Meissen Porcelain Factory. This was the highlight of my entire experience in Germany! I couldn’t believe my luck as I followed their tour throughout the work space and watched their artists and makers creating such fine delicate pieces. You can see the devotion to craft here, in the time they dedicate to the students who are working their way up and in the effortless brushstrokes of employees who have been masters of their craft for over thirty years. The interactive museum "Erlebniswelt Meissen" is also the perfect destination for a day trip from Dresden. Just hop on the train and be inspired by all things porcelain.

Rather than simply visiting two cities and collecting photographs, I was travelling with the idea of creating something inspired by the experience. The project offered an opportunity to explore how travel can influence the creative process, and how the places we visit can become part of the things we make. For me, that meant looking beyond the obvious landmarks and thinking about what each destination represented.

Dresden offered a connection to history, craftsmanship and architectural detail. Leipzig brought a different perspective, with its repurposed industrial spaces, contemporary art and willingness to experiment. Together, the cities presented two complementary ways of thinking about creativity: respecting what came before while remaining open to what comes next. Those ideas became the starting point for the piece I'm making in response to the trip. Working with clay feels like a natural way to explore these themes. Clay is a material with its own history and character; it can hold marks, textures and imperfections, and it changes through the process of making. Much like the cities themselves, it can carry traces of the past while becoming something entirely new.

As I gathered inspiration throughout the journey, I found myself drawn to the contrast between Dresden's ornate architectural details and Leipzig's more contemporary visual language. I wanted to explore how those contrasting influences could come together in a single piece, rather than treating them as separate experiences.

The resulting work is my way of bringing the journey home: translating the shapes, surfaces and ideas encountered into something tangible. That's one of the things I loved about this trip. Inspiration doesn't always arrive as a fully formed idea. Sometimes it's a colour you notice on a building, a pattern in a tiled floor or a conversation that makes you see something differently. You collect these little impressions without necessarily knowing what you'll do with them. Then, later, they begin to connect. The Clay City project gave me a reason to pay closer attention to those moments.

Making the most of your own creative city break

One of the best things about visiting Dresden and Leipzig is that you don't have to be an artist to appreciate their creative spirit. Dresden is ideal for travellers who love architecture, historic collections, classical music and the beauty of traditional craftsmanship. Leipzig is a fantastic choice for those drawn to contemporary art, independent culture, industrial heritage and creative communities. I'd recommend spending enough time in each city to experience both its famous attractions and its less obvious corners. Visit the museums, explore the neighbourhoods, take a break in a local café and leave room for spontaneous discoveries.

Having a comfortable place to return to at the end of the day makes that experience even better. With Staycity, you can make your city break your own, balancing days of exploration with the flexibility to relax, recharge and plan your next adventure.

Looking back on my journey, what stays with me is the contrast between Dresden and Leipzig, and how much each city contributed to my creative thinking. Dresden reminded me to look closely, appreciate craftsmanship and recognise the stories that places carry. Leipzig encouraged me to experiment, embrace unexpected combinations and see creative potential in spaces that have already lived several different lives. Together, they made for a genuinely inspiring trip, one that extended beyond sightseeing and into the process of making something new.

Whether you're drawn to Dresden's architectural treasures, Leipzig's contemporary art scene or simply the pleasure of discovering somewhere different, both cities deserve a place on your travel list. And who knows? You might return with more than photographs and memories. You might come home with a new idea, a fresh perspective or the beginnings of something you can't wait to create.