On 25 October, an international conceptual exhibition "60 years of glass art in Art Academy of Latvia" will open at the Big Hall of the Art Academy of Latvia. This exhibition will showcase works created by lecturers and practicing glass artists from the Art Academy of Latvia and its international partner institutions. The exhibition reflects the diversity and richness of glass art, utilizing it as a medium for sculptural objects and installations. It brings together artists' experiments with various planes and dimensions, placing glass in the spotlight.

Vineta Groza, Head of the Visual Plastic Arts Department in the Art Academy of Latvia, shares: "When artist Arnolds Vilbergs established the first specialized course in glass art processing at the academy sixty years ago, remarkable and technology-driven changes have taken place. Art trends come with new technological innovations, diverse interpretations of work, expanding the possibilities of glass technology. Currently, only knowledge, ambitious ideas, and the desire to work are needed for the further development of the industry."

Currently, the study process in the Glass Art specialty at the Art Academy of Latvia is focused on comprehensive theoretical knowledge about glass, its processing, and applications in synergy with practical work and contemporary experiments. Graduates in the Glass Art specialty continue to work successfully as creative glass artists, designers, educators, or art curators.

To promote the development of the industry and keep up with contemporary trends, lecturers and students engage in annual exchanges with foreign academies and various practice locations in Europe. Participation in international competitions and exhibitions is also regular, such as the European Glass Art Festival in Poland, the International Glass Festival in Luxembourg, and the Stanislav Libenský Award competition in the Czech Republic.

Professor Vineta Groza continues: "The Art Academy of Latvia plays a significant role in the development of glass art through fundamental cultural energy, theoretical foundation, artistic experience, artistic atmosphere, and the involvement of partner institutions and partner universities."

The conference "Glass Art in Latvia, Europe, and the World: History and Perspective," where scientific papers and creative achievements in the field of glass art will be presented, will take place on October 24th at 10:00 AM in Auditorium 1, Kronvalda Boulevard 4.

The exhibition opening will be on October 25th at 5:00 PM in Big Hall of the Art Academy of Latvia.
The exhibition can be visited from October 25th to December 1st.

Exhibition opening hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Kalpaka Boulevard 13. Admission is free.

Exhibition participants: Inguna Audere, Zaiga Baiža, Ilze Dūdiņa, Inita Ēmane, Agnese Gedule, Vineta Groza, Viktors Jansons, Aleksandrs Logvins, Bruno Strautiņš, Sandra Utāne, Livani Glass and Crafts Center (Latvia), Tereza Almeida (Portugal), Valmants Gutausks, Remigijs Krjuks, Ieva Paltanavičūte (Lithuania), Petrs Stanickis, Glass Studio "Ajeto", David Shevciks (Czech Republic), Michael Rogers, David Schnuckels (USA), Mare Sāre (Estonia), Andrijs Bokotejs (Ukraine).

Exhibition curator: Professor Vineta Groza
Exhibition scenographers: Associate Professors Viktors Jansons, Dace Ignatova, Justīne Jasjukeviča
International lecturers: David Schnuckels (USA) and Michael Rogers (USA)