FOLK PAINTING STUDIO

The beginnings of the Jelgava Folk Painting Studio can be traced back to 1956, when the first amateur art enthusiasts gathered at the Jelgava Museum of History and Art with the artist Hugo Jakobi. He was a strong personality endowed with various talents. At the beginning of the seventies, the work of the studio was continued in the city's culture house under the guidance of the painter, the then mayor of Jelgava, Silvija Meškones. Later, a different atmosphere was brought to the studio by Visvaldis Garokalns - a bright representative of watercolor art and a successful organizer. In 1983, the young artist Ivars Klapers took over the management of the studio. Today, Ivars Klapers manages the painting studio together with Anda Bushkevics, gathering many young people. Both those who previously studied drawing at Ulda Roga, as well as former art school students.

The number of studio participants has grown significantly in recent years, we have around 80 people who want to paint and express themselves artistically. For some of our long-time members, the number of years exceeds the 90s threshold. Milda Agnese Pakšiņa and Valija Pietuha, as well as several participants who started their activities in the studio in the 70s, are still active participants in exhibitions. We work so productively that we can organize 4-5 exhibitions at the same time. We mainly exhibit our works in Jelgava City Culture House, but our exhibitions travel throughout the Jelgava region and we are happy for every such opportunity.

We are free and open in our artistic activity. Everyone's interests and abilities are taken into account. Someone is better at landscapes, someone still nature, someone turns and tries his hand at portrait painting. The younger generation works more towards abstractions. There are participants who continue their education at the Academy of Arts, and we consider this to be the result of our work. We are happy for everyone who lives a creative life with us.