Young Painter Prize.
This is a project I created together with the painter Vilmantas Marcinkevicius. Young Painter Prize became one of the most important art events in the Baltic countries, held since 2009. This project combines the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian young artists a common goal – to present their national identity, art school practices and personal creative potential. According to art critics, the project has become a kind of Baltic younger generation painting chronicler, an important platform for young artists. YPP welcomes the participation of young artists from three Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia). The main aim of the project – to present the brightest and most promising painters of the younger generation and to create an opportunity for public access to such dynamic new art. Moreover, this projects aims to help its target audience – art collectors, managers, curators – discover new talent in Baltic States.
YPP is focused solely on artists under 30 years old from all disciplines who have acquired (or are in the process of acquiring) a diploma in art. The age limit has been imposed deliberately as the organisers wish to concentrate only on those very young artists who have just graduated (or are graduating) universities and have not yet had the opportunity to appear in public. This category of young artists is most vulnerable and has the largest need for support.
I organized and coordinated this project from its creation until the 15th edition in 2023.
Farewell
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Nurturing Dreams: Reflecting on the Journey of the Young Painter’s Prize
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As I look back to the year 2009, a time marred by the shadows of the economic crisis, I am reminded of a small spark of hope that my collaborator, the talented painter Vilmantas Marcinkevičius, and I have ignited. In the midst of uncertainty, we embarked on a journey that would pave the way for young artists to shine bright and claim their place on the global art stage. This journey bore the name of “Young Painter’s Prize”, a project that would come to redefine the aspirations of budding artists across the Baltic States and beyond.
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During the time when we were busy launching this project, we didn’t think about anything else but the fact that we wanted to create an opportunity for young creators to be seen and heard. We aimed to assist them. Since we had no prior experience, we learned from the global practices and developed this project on our own. We kept working away without taking time to look back. We only kept moving forward. In those challenging times, the Young Painter’s Prize emerged as a real beacon of opportunity for the emerging artists seeking recognition and support. With the world of art struggling to navigate the stormy waters of economic turmoil, the platform we had established became a lifeline for young creators, offering them a chance to showcase their talent and gain exposure on an international scale.
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Despite the difficult times, we have managed to stay afloat. Right from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a lingering thought that perhaps we should consider taking a break and refrain from pushing forward with the event. However, it soon struck me that this was precisely the moment for us to join our forces and help each other to navigate through the repercussions of our temporarily “self-isolated” lives. I am truly elated that we proceeded with the project during the pandemic year of 2020. Right up until the very last moment, I kept hoping that we would be able to hold an in-person event. Unfortunately, a week before the YPP award ceremony, the quarantine measures were reinstated and we had to play the ball. Although our spontaneous video stream from an empty exhibition hall turned out to be a resounding success – it garnered 11,643 views from around the globe!
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Though the times have changed, and the art world has moved on, the significance of the Young Painter’s Prize endures. Today, the artistic community boasts a plethora of opportunities for young talents to be noticed and supported. Institutions, collectors, and established artists have opened their arms wider, embracing the fresh perspectives, and welcoming the untamed creativity of the youth.
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Time truly seems to fly when we’re immersed in work that resonates deeply with our beliefs and passions. However, fifteen years is a considerable period of time (even my last name has changed several times over these years). This project gave me something truly invaluable – a wide network of connections with the art professionals and the exceptionally gifted artists. Each step of the journey has been a testament to the power of collaboration and dedication.
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We already have fifteen YPP winners, which means that, during these fifteen years, we had more than one hundred art professionals – art historians, theorists, gallerists, directors of major European museums, globally recognized artists, and collectors – from all over the world to work as our jury members. Their collective wisdom, discernment, and appreciation for young artistic talent have shaped this project into what it is today. We’ve featured around one thousand young artists, many of them now collaborate with various galleries, while curators invite them to their shows, and collectors purchase their work. The success stories that have emerged from this initiative continue to fill me with the sense of pride and joy. Looking from today’s perspective, I can confidently state that, after all, this project has been a major event in our region for fifteen years. So, this year, as I organize this project for the last time, my heart is filled with the most beautiful emotions.
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We have been particularly motivated by the continuous support from our patrons and their genuine desire to assist young artists in getting discovered and positioned within the context of their own generation. I sincerely want to express my gratitude to our most steadfast patrons Mindaugas Raila and the family of Nicolas Ortiz. I want to extend my thanks to Johannes and Dali van Rooij, the Lewben Art Foundation, the Bajorunas/Sarnoff Foundation, Danguolė and Viktoras Butkus, who have supported the project for many years. Over the course of these years, our sponsors have changed – some joined, others withdrew. However, every form of support was incredibly valuable, so I genuinely thank all sponsors and patrons who, even in a small way, believed in the idea of this project and supported it. The collective spirit of support, regardless of its form, has served as a cornerstone, thus continuously breathing life into this project. This is what gave us the strength to continue each year.
As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the competition, I find myself contemplating on the remarkable journey it has been. This milestone also marks a personal transition for me, as I bid farewell to a project that has grown beyond our wildest dreams. The seeds we sowed in the soil of uncertainty have sprouted into a forest of artistic potential, and I step aside with a heart full of gratitude.
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As I take my leave from this chapter, I look back with the sense of fondness and anticipation. The Young Painter’s Prize will forever remain a testament to the power of art to transcend adversity, and I am excited to witness the yet unwritten chapters of its legacy unfold.
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Julija Dailidėnaitė Palmeirao
Co-founder and organizer (2009-2023) of The Young Painter Prize project, art critic and curator, member of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA)
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In the picture I am together with the President of Centre Pompidou Laurent Le Bon, the jury member of the 15th Young Painter Prize.
Photo: Augustinas Žukovas
