For visitors

On July 15, at the Telšiai Yeshiva, the Samogitian Museum “Alka” opened the 41st International Medal Art and Small Sculpture Residency, which will run for two weeks.

This is the longest-running event of its kind in Europe, bringing together medal artists, sculptors, jewelers, and emerging creators from Lithuania and abroad. This year, the residency brings together 23 artists.

The theme of this year’s residency, “The Creator, or My Untold Story,” invites artists to express themselves through symbolic language and to explore stories that remain untold—hidden in family narratives or embedded in the deeper layers of national history. The residency functions not only as a creative platform, but also as a collaborative cultural initiative uniting the museum, the city, and its partner, the Vilnius Academy of Arts Telšiai Faculty.

The project is led by Deputy Director for Museum Affairs Ingrida Vaitiekienė, with curator, sculptor, and associate professor Marius Norkus. The residency is organized by the Samogitian Museum “Alka” and partially funded by the Telšiai District Municipality, reflecting the importance of this long-standing tradition to the region’s cultural identity.

Opening remarks were delivered by the museum’s director Eva Stonkevičienė, alongside reflections from the project leader and curator.

Alongside the opening, an exhibition by the Mažeikiai Art School, “(Un)seen Signs of Mažeikiai. Phase II,” was presented by director Laima Mikalauskienė together with teachers. The exhibition highlights stories of the Jewish community in Mažeikiai as seen through the eyes of young creators, connecting contemporary artistic expression with historical memory.

The residency represents more than a period of artistic creation—it is a space for dialogue, exchange, and new ideas that continue to expand the boundaries of medal art.

Key Dates

July 24 – “Hot Day” (bronze casting day)
Preparation and bronze casting
Location: Vilnius Academy of Arts Telšiai Faculty Forge

July 29, 5:00 PM – Opening of the exhibition of participants’ works
Location: Vilnius Academy of Arts Telšiai Gallery
Organizer: Samogitian Museum “Alka”

Partner: Vilnius Academy of Arts Telšiai Faculty
Partially funded by: Telšiai District Municipality
Sponsors: Prof. Algirdas Žebrauskas, Juozas Butkevičius, Prof. Petras Gintalas