valdis bušs 2025 international painting plein air
Balvi Municipality, cooperating with the Rothko Museum, invites artists to apply to the “Valdis Bušs 2025” International Painting Plein Air – a vibrant creative forum organised in the museum’s residency framework.
The Plein Air takes place in Viļaka, a picturesque town in eastern Latvia, to commemorate Valdis Bušs, a renowned Latvian landscapist who was born near Viļaka, as well as to put the town on the global map as a sterling venue for international artist residencies focused on quality, professionalism and sustainable growth.
The plein air experience enables artists to draw inspiration from Viļaka and its rich natural and cultural heritage, meet the local community and explore the oeuvre of Valdis Bušs. At the end of each plein air, the artists and leave their new paintings in the plein-air collection, a work in progress for the emergent Valdis Bušs Art Centre. Until such centre is established, the collection remains in the care of the Viļaka Museum.
Who can participate: Six professional artists will take part. The selection will be competition-based, with the jury assessing submitted materials (application form, CV, and visuals).
What you provide or cover:
- Travel costs from your home country to Rīga (Latvia) and back;
- Specific materials and tools (including brushes);
- Donation of at least two artworks created during the plein air to the future Valdis Bušs Art Centre collection.
What we provide or cover:
- Travel costs from Rīga to to Viļaka and back;
- Catering and accommodation in Viļaka (shared bedrooms and bathrooms, sauna available);
- Workspace (several artists working in one room);
- Basic materials and tools (canvases and paints);
- Publicity (opportunity to present your portfolio; coverage in mass media);
- Recreation (guided tours in and around Viļaka and Balvi, site visits to art and culture institutions in Daugavpils, including a visit to the Rothko Museum);
- Symposium exhibition (opening on 30 July 2025).
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply to the plein air, please complete the APPLICATION FORM by 30 April 2025. Applications submitted after due datewill not be considered.
EVALUATION PROCEDURE:
A jury will review the applications and notify the selected participants after May 10 2025. The selected participants should confirm their participation within 5 days after receiving the invitation.
