Grove Bags’ Artist Showcase series highlights the unique and creative minds behind some of our standout collaborations, and this month’s feature takes us all the way to Germany. Sandra Körner, an innovative artist and co-founder of Berlin’s White Lake Weed Cannabis Club, works to blend creativity, science, and artistry to design a cannabis experience that’s both eye-catching and educational for connoisseurs and newcomers alike. Her work on White Lake’s packaging embodies this fusion, bringing her artistic passion, her and her husband’s scientific expertise, and their shared mission to destigmatize cannabis in Germany.
From sculpting to cannabis art
In Berlin, where cannabis is decriminalized but not yet fully legalized, cannabis clubs provide a safe space for enthusiasts to grow, share, and learn more about the healing properties of the plant. But for Körner, White Lake Weed is more than just a club; it’s a chance to combine scientific curiosity with creative instincts.
“In Germany, we’re currently allowed to have certain amounts of cannabis without getting thrown into jail immediately. My boyfriend and I both studied biology; I did my Master’s a few years ago, and he is still doing his. So, we were initially interested in cannabis from a scientific point of view,” Körner said.
“When decriminalization came around, there was an opportunity to start working on a cannabis club so that we could grow the plant and share it among our members. We really wanted to feed the nerdy part of our brains to see what we can do with the plants and how we can make things more efficient—a way to have plant physiology and science somewhat worked into our daily life. So, we came up with the whole cannabis club idea, and from there, we decided to design some unique bags and really bring art into the cannabis, too.”
A seasoned sculptor who regularly works on commissions and/or fan art, Körner hadn’t had a ton of experience with animation—until now.
“I’m really dipping my pinky toe into the water with this. The first art-related thing I did was sculpting for friends. I always enjoyed art, and I started out with painting and drawing, but I was never really happy with it. Then, I started sculpting, and I really enjoyed it and got the hang of it relatively quickly,” Körner said.
“From there, I started streaming my sculpting on Twitch, and then I started working on emotes. That’s where I began doing animation for the first time. I haven’t done much cannabis-related art, but after working on the bags for White Lake, I’m inspired to create some more merchandise, like shirts, bags, postcards, or posters.”
Körner’s artistic adaptability is especially evident in her latest project: designing the Grove Bags for White Lake Weed.
“After meeting with Lance at a cannabis convention in Berlin, I was inspired to design something special for White Lake. I was largely inspired by our surroundings: the name of the club, White Lake, is after the part of Berlin that we live in. The pictures on the bag come from our evening strolls around the lake,” Körner said.
Unlike anything she’s ever done, Körner’s process for creating the bag design was both organic and experimental. This freedom resulted in something rough, cartoonish, and dark—a vision born from her scribbling around, playing with a textured brush, and liking how it looked.
“I haven’t really done anything like this before. This is more of a painterly drawing, while the digital art I’ve done before is mostly emotes; very cartoonish and simple. This feels more like an oil painting—rough, yet painterly,” Körner said.
“I think this style works really well for the bags, and would also translate well to postcards or posters, but I won’t limit myself with this style. I want to keep getting creative, and it will all depend on what I’m going to be doing for White Lake and what I think looks good or fits the topic or theme.”
The bag’s scenic artwork depicts two people sitting on a bench by the lake, surrounded by deep, dark colors illuminated by gentle light— a simple, calm scene that feels as relaxed and reflective as the plant it contains.
Art as a catalyst for change
In Europe, where legalization remains a far-off dream, Körner sees her art as a way to challenge perceptions about cannabis. “A lot of cannabis-related designs are street-art-inspired, which is great, but I wanted to do something different. I think this design puts cannabis in a new light,” she said.
“As for pointed efforts at destigmatization, we’ll be aiming to do that in the club: talking to people, educating them, and helping our members carry out the message of the plant not just being a drug that people do at home to forget about everything. It’s also something that can be used in a medicinal or recreational way—to get inspired, to create art, and to have fun.”
Körner is already envisioning new projects for White Lake, including a seasonal series of this unique design. “I’m thinking of working on a daytime version of the current design,” Körner said. “It would be fun to reflect the changing seasons through different artwork by adjusting the colors and scenery.”
Beyond the bags, Sandra is collecting inspiration for other products like posters, postcards, and clothing. “When I come across something that sparks an idea, I save it,” Körner said. “I’m excited to translate those inspirations into something cannabis-related for our members.”
