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Exhibition for Peace
19. September, 2006;
article from:
www.nvoinfocentar.org.mk
Within the global activities organized on the occasion of September
21, International Day of Peace, the Ars Studio NGO will open an art
and graphic novel exhibition with works by Macedonian and foreign
authors. The exhibition will be officially opened on Thursday,
September 21, 20:00 hours, at the “Sv. Kliment Ohridski” National
and University Library in Skopje.
Within the global activities organized on the occasion of September
21, International Day of Peace, the Ars Studio NGO will open an art
and graphic novel exhibition with works by Macedonian and foreign
authors. The exhibition will be 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. The announced
participants from India didn’t make it, due to visa problems. In
addition to India, interest for cooperation was demonstrated by
individuals and organizations from a number of African states 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”, said Irena Gapkovska from Art Studio.
However, Art Studio is convinced that the skepticism and the passive
pessimism can be overcome with enough enthusiasm and faith in the
ideals that world peace is possible.
The exhibition is supported by IMAF International Music and Arts
Foundation from Liechtenstein, as well as several philanthropic
individuals from Macedonia who have invested personal efforts to
reach the goals of the organization.
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.
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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
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The Power od Culture
Current Affairs
/AUGUST 2006
Art Studio in Macedonia trains
young artists [link]
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.”
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.”
Jos Schuring
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EUnetART UPD@TE # 20
JUNE 2006
EUnetART,
European Network of Art Organisations for Children and Young People
c/o MuztheaterP.O.Box 1013, 1500 AA Zaandam, the Netherlands,
www.eunetart.org
EUnetART is supported by:
the Dutch Fonds voor Amateurkunst en Podiumkunsten and the
Directorate Education and Culture of the European Commission
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.
VECER, 14 March 2006
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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