With Johann Hauser's blue star as a symbol of advancement, the newsletter was intended to keep the members of gugging friends - at that time still known as the “Society of Friends of the House of Artists from Gugging” - up to date with events in Gugging and to spread the word about the Gugging's artists to the world.

Originally produced in-house and hand-colored by the employees, the appearance of the newspaper changed over time. Initially, the blue star on the title page shrank and the black and white photographs and illustrations were replaced by color postcards.  In the winter of 2000, the magazine finally received a complete makeover. The size remained the same, but the portrait format became landscape format, grayscale printing became professional digital printing, Hauser's star was banished to a corner and the self-published newsletter became a magazine that offered space for more pictures and even more information.

After 27 issues and over 10 years of publication, Der blaue Stern was finally discontinued in 2006. The last issue in winter 2005 announced the imminent opening of the museum. However, the associated exhibition and publication activities left no capacity for an additional regular publication alongside the activities of the gallery.

Der blaue Stern was only published in German, nevertheless we invite you to take a look at the first, the 14th and the last regular issue of the blue star and to travel back to a period when the art/brut center was still in its infancy!