Chronology of Events 2000 – 2004
From the Idea for a Foundation to the Realization of the Museum Lothar Fischer

2000 The poet Margret Hölle and the sculptor Lothar Fischer, who like her spent his childhood in Neumarkt, meet. He talks to her about the idea of a foundation. Lord Mayor Alois Karl, now member of the German Bundestag, and at the time Mayor Arnold Graf considers the possibility of a presentation of Fischer’s work. In December Lothar Fischer receives the Cultural Award of the City of Neumarkt.
2001 The artist is commissioned to create a fountain on the Residenzplatz across from the Reitstadel (Riding Stable).
2002 Accompanied by a controversial discussion on part of the citizenry, the fountain Drei Reiter (Three Horsemen) is installed. On 25 June, the city council sanctions the construction of the Museum Lothar Fischer and the installation of a sculpture path. On 7 October, the artist, together with his wife Christel, set up the Lothar & Christel Fischer Foundation in Baierbrunn near Munich, where the couple had lived since 1979. The Upper Palatinate Government recognizes the Foundation on 26 September. The first meeting of the board and curatorship of the Foundation, chosen personally by the artist, takes place on 7 October in the city hall. On 20 December, Mr. and Mrs. Fischer sign the cooperation agreement with the city.
2003 The foundation stone ceremony takes place in attendance of the Fischers, in spite of strong criticism by the citizens’ initiative Pro Stadtpark (Pro City Park), which is against the city’s actions. The roofing ceremony takes place on Lothar Fischer’s seventieth birthday on 8 November and those interested in the arts discuss the idea of founding a friends’ association of the museum.
2004 Fischer dies on 15 June after a long severe illness in Baierbrunn near Munich. Four days later, however, the museum is opened as planned. The first temporary exhibition Lothar Fischer und Weggefährten (Lothar Fischer and Companions) is held. The exhibition includes numerous works from the collection Lothar and Christel Fischer.