The Art Academy of Latvia, in cooperation with the SEB bank, invites viewers to the opening of the exhibition of the finalists' works of "SEB Scholarship in Painting 2023" on September 6 at 5:00 PM the Great Hall of the Art Academy of Latvia. The SEB scholarship aims to support the talent, craftsmanship, and creativity of young artists.

The group of finalists of the exhibition consists of eight artists: Katrīna Biksone, Alīna Burlakova, Laima Daberte, Madara Freidenfelde, Linda Jākobsone Viškere, Gunta Lante, Ivars Pommers, and Laura Veļa.

The AAL prorector Andris Vītoliņš highlights that "the long-term cooperation and support of the Art Academy of Latvia and the SEB bank serve as a stepping stone for young artists as evident in their creative path — previous years' laureates are known not only in Latvia but also abroad. When choosing this year's finalists, the jury evaluated the artistic freedom, sense of the era, and pictorial quality of the students' artworks. Each nominated finalist's work embodies technical mastery and the ability to express powerful ideas."

"Creativity, in all its forms, is the main stimulus of economic and social progress, because without new ideas, it will be impossible to carry out essential reforms and improve the welfare of society. Our creativity, without a doubt, stems from the uniqueness and authenticity of the cultural and artistic life around us. For this reason, the SEB bank has been an ardent supporter of young and promising artists for the past 16 years with its scholarships in painting. We continue strengthening our long-standing friendship with the Art Academy of Latvia and contributing to the vibrancy of Latvian cultural and artistic life," adds the SEB bank's board chairwoman, Ieva Tetere.

The jury will choose the winner of the competition; however, the exhibition's visitors are also welcome to vote for their favorite work of art — the author of which, like the competition's winner, will be announced on September 21 at 5:00 PM in the AAL hall. The winner of the SEB scholarship will receive 2,000 euros, a visit to the Contemporary Art Fair in one of the cities of the European Union, and a paid creative workshop.

The competition jury consists of Prof. Andris Vītoliņš, the AAL prorector; Ieva Tetere, the SEB bank's president; Kristians Brekte, the AAL Painting Department head; Inese Rozentāla, the AAL Project and Development Department exhibition coordinator, curator Auguste Petre, painter Jānis Šneiders, and 2013 SEB scholarship laureate Klāvs Loris.

The "SEB Scholarship in Painting" competition award was presented for the first time in 2008, when its laureate was Neonilla Medvedeva, followed in 2009 by Atis Jākobsons, in 2010 by Zane Tuča, in 2011 by Elza Sīle, in 2012 by Laimdota Steķe, in 2013 by Klāvs Loris, in 2014 by Madara Neikena, in 2015 by Zīle Ziemele, in 2016 by Sandra Strēle, in 2017 by Kristaps Priede, in 2018 by Anna Pommere, in 2019 by Krišjānis Elviks, in 2020 by Madara Kvēpa, and in 2022 by Alice Builevica.

Exhibition opening hours:
The Great Hall of the Art Academy of Latvia
Kalpaka boulevard 13
September 7 — October 7, 2023
MON, TUE, WED, THU, FRI  from 10:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Free entrance