08. March, 2010; article from:www.utrinski.com.mk

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Macedonian Art Studio is a Beacon of Hope

September 27, 2006; article from :www.prweb.com

Twelve Macedonian artists and a group of graphic novel artists from Northern England exhibit their art works. However there was international interest in participating in this Peace One Day event which is also the official launch of "what-is-peace?" the Studio's collaboration as part of the Cultural Fusion art series (comfusion.pbwiki.com). This event drew interest from individuals and organizations from a number of African states, USA, UK, India and from Brazil.

(PRWEB) September 27, 2006 -- Within the global activities organized on the occasion of September 21, International Day of Peace, the Art Studio NGO opened an art exhibition with works by Macedonian and foreign artists. The exhibition officially opened on Thursday, September 21, 20:00 hours, at the "Sv. Kliment Ohridski?National and University Library in Skopje.

Twelve Macedonian artists and a group of graphic novel artists from Northern England will exhibit their works. However there was international interest in participating in this Peace One Day event which is also the official launch of "what-is-peace??the Studio’s collaboration as part of Cultural Fusion, a groundbreaking art series .http://comfusion.pbwiki.com This event drew interest from individuals and organizations from a number of African states, India and from Brazil.

"There is a true skepticism whether there will ever be peace in the world. The message we want to send is that voice should be given to every individual, since the individuals have the influence and the power to solve the problems,? Irena Gapkovska from Art Studio was quoted by the press prior to the event.

The Studio’s Peace Exhibition attracted more than 300 attendees including Gligor Tashkovich: Minister without Portfolio (for Foreign Investment) who gave an inspiring speech in Macedonian. His speech concluded with, "I ask you all to join me today in making a shared Commitment for Peace: "Let Macedonia be a Beacon Of Hope for Peace? which evoked thunderous applause from the audience.

The exhibition event was made possible by IMAF International Music and Arts Foundation from Liechtenstein, as well as several philanthropic individuals from Macedonia and abroad including partners Yvette Dubel of WebAntiphon Corporation (USA)http://www.webantiphon.com and Erik MacEachern of MacEachern Associates (Scotland-UK) http://www.maceachernassociates.com who have invested personal efforts to reach the goals of the organization.

Asked for comment following the event Gapkovska replied, "It was like a dream come true. Such an experience! And with our team I believe we can do a lot more.?The exhibit titled "The Power of Culture" explores art and cultural expressions in conjunction with human rights, education, the environment,emancipation and democratisation.

She and her team are convinced that the skepticism and the passive pessimism can be overcome with enough enthusiasm, commitment and faith in the ideals that make world peace possible.

Art Studio participates in this years celebrations of the International Day of Peace on invitation by Jeremy Gilley from http://www.peaceoneday.org Peace One Day organization from London, the initiator of the Resolution 282 of the UN General Assembly that established September 21 as the International Day of Ceasefire and peace.

Participants on the exhibition:

Milosh Spasich Petar Beslach Gorjan Stojchev Ivana Kostandinovska Monika Rizovska Martin Panev

Kristina Nikolovska Maja Dzepova Jordancho Kicovski Ivana Mladenova Natasha Ljubinovska Jag Lall

The Power od Culture

Current Affairs /AUGUST 2006

Art Studio in Macedonia trains young artists

Numerous small-scale artist initiatives have been launched in the Balkan region in recent years. They operate under difficult conditions, but their enormous efforts sometimes achieve excellent results. One such example is the NGO Art Studio in Skopje, Macedonia’s capital.
"Art offers a new perspective to many of the people who paint with us,?says initiator Irena Gapkovska. "Alexander stepped inside here a few years ago: a talented but difficult and sometimes aggressive young man. His development as an artist has made him a more balanced individual. He is now studying at the Sorbonne in Paris.?lt;br>
In the eight years of its existence, the studio has trained three hundred students. Some fifty of these are now working to expand their artistic career in other countries. "Developing a healthy financial base is difficult,? Gapkovska explains. "Students pay 25 euros a month, which covers all costs. Thanks to a contribution from the International Music and Art Foundation in Liechtenstein, we can give lessons free of charge to a select group of talented students who are unable to pay the monthly fee.?

The art climate is changing in Macedonia. An increasing number of networks are evolving that cover various disciplines, often focusing on community art. But it is slow going, according to Gapkovska. "The administration in our country is still continually changing, meaning that there is little stability. The Ministry of Culture grants modest subsidies, but these primarily go to out-dated institutes. However, new initiatives like ours are proving their worth. More and more, they are being taken seriously.?

The supply of art in Macedonia remains modest, in Gapkovska’s view. "There are a few exhibitions, concerts and jazz festivals, but the local media ignore them. Their attention is focused on politics and sports.?

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MENTION ARTS - YOU ARE SIGNED OFF

We are facing not only a lack of philanthropy, but also a totally different problem - complete lack of interest, ignorance and monopoly of the Ministry of Culture when arts funding is concerned. It is sad that quality and enthusiasm is not enough for success in any field. You must seek political partisanship, connections with the oligarchy or as we say - you must have connections, the president of the NGO - Art Studio, Irena Gapkovska says."We can simply conclude that things in Macedonia function very locally, tooclosely and always in the interest of a small group, which is never close to the State or national interest. The idea that the general good is also personal good is far from the consciousness of Macedonians. Besides, young people increasingly loose the conception of their identity".

Interview with Irena Gapkovska
Author: Gurgina Vasilevska (VECER)

The NGO Art Studio from Skopje will represent Macedonia at the Annual assembly of EUnetART (European network of youth art organizations) that will take place from 10-14 May in Zurich. That is a network of above 100 NGOs from 28 countries, backed by the European Commission through a 6-year program "Culture 2000". The program aims to stimulate creativity and communication between artists.
Macedonia will be also represented at a seminar in Poland, which will gather representatives of only 12 countries in the world. That is a proof that the activities of Art Studio have been recognized and established worldwide. The world is a stronger side of Art Studio, as it has the backing of many countries. At home things are different. .
Our success abroad is greater because the NGOs in the sector of arts and education are far more developed abroad than in Macedonia. We are facing not only a lack of philanthropy, but also a totally different problem-complete lack of interest, ignorance and monopoly of the Ministry of Culture when arts funding is concerned. It is sad that quality and enthusiasm is not enough for success in any field. You must seek political partisanship, connections with the oligarchy or as we say - you must have connections. I have to say that in such circumstance, we expect bad results in the future. We have made contacts with the Macedonian North-American Diaspora and we received great and honest support from Mr. Gligor Tashkovich, Vice-president of AMBO, who is also a great philanthropist. Mr. Tashkovich advised us, assisted us and guided us in the development of the project. Thanks to his assistance we won a grant from the IMAF Foundation from Lichtenstein -
says Irena Gapkovska, president of the NGO - Art Studio.

The impressions of our meeting with the Government are desperate. We don't even expect to win financial support, but the rejection of our ideas is defeating. As you mentions arts, an invisible was arises between you and your interlocutor and any further talk is useless. We can simply conclude that things in Macedonia function very locally, too closely and always in the interest of a small group, which is never close to the State or national interest. The idea that the general good is also personal good is far from the consciousness of Macedonians. Besides, young people increasingly loose the conception of their identity, says Gapkovska.

The IMAF grant motivates young people not to give up their ideas. But they are terrified that there isn't any initiative or good will for arts in Macedonia. "Someone must try to change something, even at the cost of
loosing what's personal good for the benefit of the general good. We believe and we claim that Macedonia has potential, talents and that we have what we can show to the world. Off course, we are not alone in this belief . . ." says Gapkovska.

EUSR FOUERE SUPPORTS NGOs, FOCUSED ON YOUTH AND CULTURE

Skopje, March 21 (MIA)- Erwan Fouere, European Union Special Representative to Macedonia (EUSR), supported Tuesday non-governmental organizations, whose work is focused on youth and culture.
"The role of NGO sector is very significant for the European Union, in particular the organizations working with marginalized and minority groups... The stronger NGO sector, the stronger society," Fouere said at a press conference of the NGO Art Studio.

Therefore, Fouere said, I also support the Art Studio that is being focused on the cultural dimension, which is disregarded in Macedonia and under pressure of daily political issues.
Art Studio Chairperson Irena Gapovska said the organization had been offering atelier and club to young people to learn and share experiences on fine and other arts.
"The art is a media that spreads pacifism... Young people in Macedonia often have no vision for the future. We are offering them some vision. Macedonia needs a healthy value system," Gapovska said.

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