Prosto Nebylytsi 2024. Fourteenth edition of the project

2024 will be remembered as a challenging yet successful time for the annual All-Ukrainian project for young artists “PROSTO NEBYLYTSI.” Despite the obstacles posed by the third year of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the project continues to fulfill its mission: supporting and promoting the art of young Ukrainian creators.

This initiative, implemented internationally for 14 consecutive years, provides young artists with a platform for self-expression and introduces their works to the world. Throughout its history, the project has thrived solely due to the efforts of its organizers, benefactors, and partners from Ukraine and abroad without relying on state funding.

Since its inception, young artists across Ukraine have submitted over 13,000 works as part of the competition. Of these, nearly 2,000 have been included in the collection of the best artworks, forming the basis for exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad. Ukrainian artists’ works have been displayed in Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Italy, France, Sweden, and other countries. The project has brought these artistic creations to audiences in more than 20 countries worldwide.

The “PROSTO NEBYLYTSI” project specializes in working with children from orphanages and boarding schools. They are provided with workshops, art supplies, and stationery, enabling hundreds of children to engage with art and showcase their creations in the competition.

The submission phase for the 14th edition of the competition concluded on October 10, 2024. A total of 738 works were submitted, with 717 qualifying. Of these, 130 artworks were selected for inclusion in the project’s 2024 exhibition collection.

On December 28, the work of the international jury concluded. The jury consisted of nine practicing professionals.

Ormira Lulani is an artist and monumental painter who has participated in numerous exhibitions, festivals, and watercolor biennials in Albania and abroad (Italy, Canada, Spain, Ukraine, Hong Kong, Turkey, Vietnam, etc.). She serves as the Head of the Art and Project Sector at the Tirana Art Gallery, is the Vice-President of the VIZart Cultural Organization, and represents Albania in the IWS (Global Organization of Watercolorists), Tirana, Albania.

Keith Murray is an artist, educator, pastor, and a member of artistic organizations such as The Only Animal Theatre Society and The Green Fools Theatre Society. They are renowned for their curatorial projects, interdisciplinary approaches, and participation in numerous international art exhibitions. They are based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Carla Kim (Hyesook Jang) is an artist, educator, and member of the Korean Artists Association, the Korean Watercolor Artists Association, and L’arc En Ciel Atelier, Seoul, South Korea.

Armand Xhomo is a scenographer and artist, owner and director of the ArtArt Gallery in Florence. He has worked as a set designer in theaters and television, as well as in graphic design. A participant in numerous international exhibitions and festivals, he is a laureate of prestigious awards such as the ‘Premio Italia’ (1995), ‘Arturo Puliti – Premio 2011,’ and the Tirana Art Award. He also serves as the Vice-President of the Vizart Cultural Organization, Florence, Italy.

Ingrid Lefevre s an artist, participant in numerous international collective art exhibitions, specializing in watercolor and mixed media, Ghent, Belgium.

Roman Yatsiv is a historian, art theorist, museum specialist, art manager, artist, designer, and educator; professor, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Candidate of Art Studies, member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine, and full member of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, Lviv, Ukraine.

Petro Sypnyak is a painter, People’s Artist of Ukraine, a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, and a member of the Club of Ukrainian Artists. He is the author of solo exhibitions and a participant in group exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad. Based in Lviv, Ukraine.

Eleonora Bilinska is a clothing modeling artist and the author of numerous solo and group exhibitions of glass painting in Ukraine and abroad, including in the USA and Canada. She is a member of the National Union of Folk Art Masters of Ukraine. Based in Lviv, Ukraine.

Marie Andersson is a watercolor artist, the author of numerous solo and group exhibitions in Sweden and abroad, a member of IWS (International Watercolor Society), and an organizer and instructor of numerous watercolor workshops, Orrviken, Sweden.

January 2025 marked the announcement of the results, the awarding of winners, and the presentation of the finest works in a catalog that traditionally accompanies the project’s culmination.

Laureates of the First Degree

Laureates of the Second Degree

Laureates of the Third Degree

Special Recognitions Were Awarded To:

For the ninth consecutive year, the project has been accompanied by releasing a personalized stamp, “PROSTO NEBYLYTSI 2024,” issued by Ukrposhta. This tradition continues to support the promotion of young Ukrainian artists worldwide.

Due to the threats posed by Russian aggression on Ukrainian territory, the results and exhibition will be presented online. Visitors can explore the exhibition in the virtual gallery of the Center for Cultural and Artistic Initiatives and the Lviv Regional Charitable Foundation “TORBA.” Additionally, physical exhibitions will be held in partner galleries per their operational schedules, considering safety conditions in Ukraine. Internationally, presentations will take place in line with the exhibition schedules of partner galleries.

The “PROSTO NEBYLYTSI” project was initiated by the International Association of Culture and Art in 2011. It is coordinated by the Lviv Regional Charitable Foundation “TORBA” and organized by the NGO “Center for Cultural and Artistic Initiatives.”

The Organizing Committee expresses its deep gratitude to all project benefactors, partners, and supporters. Special thanks in 2024 go to the Shuvar Market, the Lviv Author’s Drama Theater “ScenA8,” and the new and returning sponsors, including the “First Universal Glass Cutter.”

«Together, we can support talented young creators today, so that humanity can take pride in them tomorrow.» — Andriy SENDYTSKYY, Artistic Director and General Coordinator All-Ukrainian Project for Young Artists “PROSTO NEBYLYTSI”

Програма й актуальна інформація стосовно Проекту — на офіційних сайтах координатора Проекту lvivtorba.com та організатора Проекту artcenter.org.ua