VDA Graduation show 2025

On the 3rd - 14th of June, the Vilnius Academy of Arts (VDA) will hold its third annual public Graduate Exhibition, presenting the creative output of its graduating students. Over 400 creative projects will be on display across the VDA’s own galleries and public venues in Vilnius, Kaunas, Telšiai, and Klaipėda. The exhibition introduces the next generation of artists, designers, restorers, architects, and art historians, showcasing their innovative ideas and creative solutions.

“Every ending marks a new beginning. The day the doors of the Vilnius Academy of Arts close, others open — to prestigious galleries, museums, leading architecture and design studios, restoration workshops, editorial offices of art journals, and research institutions. There are as many paths as there are graduates of the Academy,” says VDA Rector, prof. Ieva Skauronė.

For many, this event becomes a first serious debut in the professional art field — a milestone that brings public recognition and the attention of professionals and potential employers. Organizers note that early exposure and validation often become a decisive encouragement for a young artist’s continued creative development and career growth.

“Few truly know what young artists do while studying at the Academy. This exhibition opens the doors to that world — it reflects student life, the behind-the-scenes of the Academy, and the worldview of emerging creatives. It’s a chance for the public to engage with the rising artists and for the graduates to present their acquired knowledge and skills,” says Haroldas Kuliešius, one of the exhibition organizers and a member of the VAA Student Union, who is completing his studies in Scenography.

As in previous years, a selection of graduation works will be exhibited at Titanikas, VAA’s primary exhibition space. This year’s central exhibition, curated by artist and art historian Vidas Poškus, is titled “Ašmenys” (Blades).

“Yes, it sounds sharp, even provocative, but we want the students’ works to speak not only about current issues but also timeless ones — ecology, politics, human relations,” says the curator.

The exhibition will span the country: in Vilnius, works will be presented at Titanikas, the Old and New Academy buildings, galleries Akademija, Artifex, Kreatoriumas, 5 Malūnai, Lauko ekspo +1000, and the A. and A. Tamošaičiai Gallery Židinys.

Thanks to partnerships with the Lithuanian Artists’ Association, museums, libraries, churches, and cultural centers, student works will also appear in both familiar and unexpected public spaces.

In Kaunas, the exhibition will be hosted at the VAA Kaunas Faculty and the newly opened Muitinė gallery.
In Telšiai — at the Telšiai Faculty and the VAA Telšiai Gallery.
In Klaipėda — at the Klaipėda Culture Communication Center.

In addition to exhibitions, the program will feature performances, tours, and discussions.

Among the standout projects this year is a cross-disciplinary work by Karina Panina, who previously studied Fashion at the Academy and is now completing her Master’s degree in Sculpture. Her piece blends fashion with sculpture and includes a performance-show for which she wrote a poetic script. Models will perform not only as part of the show but also
blend into the public space as passersby.

“For me, the intersection of fashion and sculpture is natural — not only because of my academic experience. The costumes form a sculptural image of an indistinct mass of people. They go beyond fashion design and become works of art,” says Panina.

“This is a new way of reading costume, and I believe this performance could become a significant event in the Lithuanian art scene, especially in how we present wearable art.”

The organizers of the VAA Graduate Exhibition hope that public engagement and feedback will help shape the professional journey of emerging artists. Early impressions from viewers often serve as an essential compass for young creators.