Students from 14 universities in Belarus, Russia, and Latvia will take part in the "Art Session" in Vitebsk

May 13, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. The XIX Competition-Exhibition of Visual Arts for Students of Art Specialties of Higher Educational Institutions "Art Session" will be held in Vitebsk from May 20 to 22. This was announced today at a press conference by Marina Romanovskaya, Deputy General Director for Special Projects of the Vitebsk Culture Center, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. Students from 14 educational institutions from Belarus, Russia, and Latvia will take part in the competition. Student participation from Poland and Germany is also expected. This year, the number of competition nominations has been reduced. Participants, who will be only students, unlike in previous years, will present works in six categories: painting, graphics, sculpture, decorative and applied arts, design, and in the specially approved nomination "The Tale of Bygone Years. Continuation," dedicated to Polotsk in connection with its declaration as the cultural capital of Belarus. The works will be evaluated by a jury formed from independent experts. Unlike before, university teachers participating in the competition will not be included in its composition. Upon completion of the "Art Session," the 50 best works will be exhibited for a month at the Polotsk Art Gallery. These works will also be included in a catalog, which will be published for the first time based on the competition results. Another innovation is the special nomination "Linen Dress." "This is an echo of the competition for fashion designers and clothing demonstrators 'White Amphora,' which is currently not held, but it is planned to be revived over time," noted Marina Romanovskaya. About 50 dress models from students of the Vitebsk State Technological University have been submitted for the competition. The winners of all nominations will be announced and awarded special prizes and "Art Scholarships" on May 20. The event is organized by the Department of Culture and the Department for Youth Affairs of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, the Department of Culture of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, and the Vitebsk Culture Center with the assistance of the Belarusian Union of Artists and the Belarusian Union of Designers. -0-