International interdisciplinary conference, organized by Art Research Institute and Nida Art Colony of Vilnius Academy of Arts
Prehistoric Art and Symbolism in Mesolithic–Neolithic Contexts of the East Baltic
In Memory of Habil. Dr. Rimutė Rimantienė
7–10 September 2026
Nida Art Colony, Vilnius Academy of Arts (Neringa, Lithuania)
The Curonian Spit is one of the earliest areas in Lithuania to have attracted archaeological research, with investigations beginning as early as the nineteenth century. Many of Lithuania’s most notable finds of prehistoric art have been discovered here. The most extensively investigated site is the Nida settlement, located very close to the Nida Art Colony of the Vilnius Academy of Arts.
To commemorate the scholar behind these discoveries, one of Lithuania’s most prominent archaeologists, Habil. Dr. Rimutė Rimantienė, the international conference is being held in Nida. The conference is dedicated to prehistoric art, symbols, sign systems, and possible rituals of the Mesolithic–Neolithic period in the Eastern Baltic region.
Around 30 scholars from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Poland, and the United States will take part in the conference and present 22 papers. The conference will be held in English. The presentations will be complemented by video material, discussions, and a practical workshop aimed at sharing experience and developing joint projects on prehistoric art observed in Mesolithic–Neolithic settlement finds and burial contexts.
The conference will be accompanied by two exhibitions:
The Lithuanian National Museum exhibition Unearthed Coastal Stories, supplemented by reconstructions of Nida pottery created by the Vilnius Potters’ Guild, as well as original drawings by R. Rimantienė;
The Vilnius Academy of Arts Nida Art Colony exhibition Dune (artists: Invernomuto, Deimantas Narkevičius, Emilija Škarnulytė)
The conference is organised by the Institute of Art Research of the Vilnius Academy of Arts and the Nida Art Colony
Conference organisers: Prof. Dr. A. Butrimas, Dr. E. Šatavičė, Dr. T. Rimkus, N. Bumbulienė, N. Bepirštytė
Conference partners: Lithuanian National Museum, Vilnius Potters’ Guild, Institute of Baltic Region History and Archaeology of Klaipėda University, Neringa Museums
The conference is supported by the Rectorate and Publishing House of the Vilnius Academy of Arts, and UAB Elotus Vidmandas Stonkus
