On May 27, 2026, I had the privilege of attending a truly special event: the world premiere of the very first PEZ Arts Edition at Dschungel Wien in Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier.
What made the occasion even more exciting was the fact that the PEZ collecting community had been specifically invited to take part. Naturally, my fellow collector friends from Vienna and I could not miss this unique opportunity, and we arrived with great anticipation.
I have to admit there was a little nervousness before the event began.
At the exact same moment as the premiere, online sales of the new PEZ Arts Edition opened on the PEZ website. Fortunately, our concerns quickly disappeared when we discovered that all three versions of the Kid Guard dispenser were also available for purchase at the venue.
A Night to Remember
The evening opened with music by DJ Alex List while guests enjoyed drinks, delicious finger food, and beautifully decorated cupcakes topped with PEZ candies.
The atmosphere was warm, creative, and filled with excitement.
One of the highlights of the evening for me was the opportunity to speak with members of the PEZ team, including representatives from product development and marketing.
These conversations provided fascinating insights into the passion and dedication behind the scenes at PEZ.
The First PEZ Arts Edition
The moment I first saw the new PEZ Arts Edition, I was immediately captivated.
As a longtime collector, my heart genuinely skipped a beat.
The inaugural PEZ Arts Edition is based on a character from the Kid Guard series created by Austrian artist Josef Florian Krichbaum.
His imaginative figures evoke childhood memories while remaining playful, mysterious, and full of character. As PEZ dispensers, the Kid Guards gain an entirely new and charming dimension.
Together, PEZ and Josef Florian Krichbaum created an extraordinary collectible limited to just 5,000 pieces worldwide.
What makes this release especially significant is that it marks the first time a PEZ dispenser has been designed by a fine artist.
PEZ clearly invested considerable effort into introducing this new product line.
The event felt like much more than a product launch. Art, literature, collecting, and the PEZ brand came together to create a genuine cultural experience.
Meeting the Artist
The artwork of Josef Florian Krichbaum was displayed throughout the venue, and the artist generously spent time with visitors, signing the new dispensers and other memorabilia for collectors.
Acclaimed Austrian author Franzobel was also present and performed readings under the title Franzobel liest Kindisches, adding another creative layer to the evening.
PEZ, art, literature, and the collecting community blended together perfectly.
It was a wonderful evening filled with conversations, shared enthusiasm, and memorable encounters with fellow collectors, the artist, and the PEZ team.
Behind the Scenes at PEZ
A particularly interesting conversation I had was with Gerthild K. from PEZ’s Product Development and Marketing department.
She shared fascinating details about the creation of the first PEZ Arts Edition.
What impressed me most was learning how much care and precision went into every aspect of the project.
Creating the perfect packaging solution required extensive testing and attention to every detail. The dispenser and its placement within the packaging were carefully evaluated through countless tests and different scenarios. Every possible positioning was explored to find the ideal balance between functionality, protection, and presentation before the final approval was given.
Hearing about this process gave me a much deeper appreciation for the amount of thought and dedication behind the finished product.
As collectors, we usually only see the final result. The countless discussions, refinements, and decisions that happen behind the scenes often remain invisible.
It was fascinating to learn firsthand how closely PEZ and Josef Florian Krichbaum worked together to ensure the artistic vision was faithfully translated into the final dispenser.
That attention to detail is exactly what makes the PEZ Arts Edition so special.
It is not simply a collectible—it is the result of an extraordinary collaboration between art, creativity, and decades of PEZ expertise.
The People Behind the Brand
I was also impressed watching Sonja from the PEZ marketing team throughout the evening.
While guests enjoyed the event, she worked tirelessly to capture photos and videos for PEZ’s social media channels, ensuring that collectors around the world could share in the excitement of this historic premiere.
It was another example of the professionalism and passion with which PEZ approached this launch.
Of course, I also had the opportunity to speak with Ursula Polymeropulos, Head of Marketing at PEZ International.
During our conversation, she revealed that preparations for PEZ’s upcoming 100th Anniversary are already well underway.
While she could not share many specific details, she hinted that collectors and PEZ fans can look forward to some truly remarkable projects and surprises.
As a longtime collector, I found her insights especially exciting.
I also had the pleasure of speaking with Bernhard Rehrl, Managing Director of PEZ International.
Bernhard generously spent time chatting with collectors over drinks, discussing a wide range of PEZ-related topics.
It was clear how much enthusiasm and commitment exists within the company as they continue shaping the future of the brand.
After everything I experienced that evening, I am convinced that PEZ’s centennial celebration will be something truly special for collectors around the world.
For me, these conversations were among the highlights of the evening.
Opportunities to gain firsthand insights into future PEZ projects are incredibly rare and deeply appreciated by collectors.
A Historic Evening
What made this event truly special was that we were not simply attending another product launch.
We were witnessing a genuine piece of PEZ history.
With the introduction of the first PEZ Arts Edition, PEZ has taken an exciting new step by bringing together the worlds of contemporary art and the iconic PEZ dispenser.
As a collector, it was fascinating to see how an artistic creation could be transformed into a collectible that blurs the line between artwork and dispenser.
Throughout the evening, there was a strong sense that something entirely new had begun.
Equally meaningful was the appreciation shown toward the collecting community.
PEZ did not merely invite collectors to attend—they made us part of this historic moment.
The result was a welcoming, almost family-like atmosphere where artists, company representatives, collectors, and art enthusiasts could connect as equals.
For me, this was far more than just an event.
It was an evening filled with emotions, friendships, conversations, and shared enthusiasm.
Moments like these remind me that collecting is about much more than the items themselves—it is about the memories and experiences they create.
Some collectibles eventually find their place on a shelf.
Others remain in your heart forever.
This evening was undoubtedly one of those special moments.
My sincere thanks go to PEZ International for the invitation and for allowing me to be part of this historic chapter in PEZ history.
Happy Collecting!
Thank you for all the Photos: Copyright: STARPIX / Alexander TUMA , 27.05.2026 Wien, Künstler JF Krichbaum präsentiert die PEZ Sonderedition im Dschungel Wien Starpix/ Alexander TUMA
May 27, 2025
Looks like an incredible event! Congratulations to Josef Florian Krichbaum and the entire PEZ team on such a wonderful success. We absolutely ❤️ this!