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International Competition Exhibition GRATA BALVA 2025 “Golden Age” at MuseumLV Gallery

Exhibition dates: June 12 – September 6, 2025

Venue: MuseumLV Gallery, Grata JJ Cultural Center, A. Pumpura Street 2, Riga

From June 12 to September 6, 2025, MuseumLV Gallery invites visitors to attend the annual competition exhibition GRATA BALVA, which this year is held under the theme “Golden Age.” Organized by MuseumLV Gallery within the framework of the Grata JJ Cultural Center, the project serves as a large-scale platform for showcasing works by contemporary professional artists from Latvia and abroad.

The curator of the project is Professor Dr. art. Deniss Hanovs, who is also the author of the exhibition’s concept.

The theme “Golden Age” offers vast opportunities for artistic interpretation, referencing utopian dreams as well as reflections on the past, present, and future, both personal, historical, and cultural.

This year, 76 contemporary professional artists are participating in the competition, presenting more than 100 works in painting, sculpture, graphics, ceramics, textile, digital art, and installations. All artworks are displayed on both floors of the gallery and are available for purchase.

The first two prize winners have already been announced!

Congratulations to the laureates of the international visual arts competition GRATA BALVA 2025!

The Grata Family Prize is awarded to the painting “New Era”

Artist: Leo Preiss

2025 | Canvas, acrylic | 100 × 90 cm

The Curator’s Prize is awarded to the work “Bulls”

Artist: Ludmila Kolomenska

2024 | Paper, watercolor | 84 × 64 cm

About the Competition

GRATA BALVA is an annual visual arts competition established by MuseumLV Gallery in 2018. The aim of the project is to support professional artists, promote cultural dialogue, and advance contemporary art.

Previous GRATA BALVA themes include:

• Mystery. Ritual Art
• Source of Power
• #artifact #fifthcivilization
• #illusory #reality (in support of Ukrainian refugees)

Competition Highlights

• To ensure maximum objectivity in voting, each artwork is presented anonymously, identified only by a number.
• Voting takes place in person throughout the entire exhibition period at MuseumLV Gallery, Grata JJ Cultural Center.
• Each visitor may vote for 8 favorite artworks. All works are available for purchase!

GRATA BALVA 2025 Prize Information

The GRATA BALVA Visual Arts Competition includes three monetary prizes:

1.    First Prize: “Grata Family Prize” (500 EUR)
Awarded during the exhibition opening by gallery representatives. The jury’s decision is based on the artist’s collaboration history and contribution to the activity of MuseumLV Gallery.

2.    Second Prize: “Curator’s Prize” (500 EUR)
Awarded by the curator of the exhibition “Golden Age,” Professor Dr.art Deniss Hanovs. This prize is also presented at the opening ceremony.

3.    Third Prize: “Audience Choice Award” (300 EUR)
Determined by votes cast by gallery visitors during the exhibition. The votes are counted live on MuseumLV’s Facebook page in early September.
This award is presented at the opening of the next exhibition at MuseumLV Gallery.

Jury:

• Exhibition curator Prof. Dr.art. Deniss Hanovs
• Representative of the general sponsor GRATA ECO HOUSE
• Director of the gallery  Julia Eresko

Come to the gallery, enjoy the art, make your choice, cast your vote!

Each visitor may vote for 8 favorite works. All artworks are available for purchase!