Celebrating Emerging Talent in Central European Art Through BE OPEN Regional Art Competition

BE OPEN Regional Art Celebrates Talented Emerging Artists

In a remarkable initiative aimed at celebrating the diversity and richness of Central European cultures, BE OPEN Art, an innovative online gallery established by humanitarian entrepreneur Elena Baturina, continues to operate the esteemed BE OPEN Regional Art competition for its fourth edition in 2026. This initiative is designed to support and uplift emerging artists whose works profoundly reflect their regional, cultural, and ethnic identities.

Running from May to August 2026, this year's competition focused on the artistic expressions of countries including the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Each month, the online gallery showcased the works of twenty artists from these select nations, creating an engaging platform for public voting to celebrate one standout artist monthly.

The excitement culminated as four monthly winners were ranked based on their public votes as well as evaluations by a prestigious jury. This distinguished panel was led by Michal Novotný, the director of the Modern and Contemporary Art Collection at the National Gallery in Prague, alongside Branka Bencic, director of the MoMCA (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) in Rijeka, Croatia, and Olga Butinar Čeh, curator of the Slovenian Association of Fine Arts Societies (ZDSLU).

A highlight of the competition was the announcement of the overall title of 'Regional Artist', which came with a scholarship of €500. This honor went to Marie Bokova, a talented student specializing in Ceramics and Porcelain at UMPRUM in Prague. Bokova's work intricately explores the interplay between human stories and nature through her engaging figurative ceramic sculptures, using a variety of materials including clay, wood, wax, and organic matter. Her work stands out not just for its aesthetic qualities but also for the biological processes she incorporates, transforming them into practical techniques and conceptual frameworks.

In addition to the main award, the competition also acknowledged several artists with honorable mentions, including Bogdana Peric Milenkovic from Serbia, Helena Mirich from Croatia, and Lorena Iavorschi from Romania. One special award was given based on the personal choice of Elena Baturina herself. This recognition went to Ester Nemjo, a talented painter, illustrator, and animator based in Prague. With her background in the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague and the School of Decorative Arts in Paris, Nemjo's whimsical narratives combine fantastic creatures with symbolic landscapes that delve into themes of inner life, transformation, caregiving, and motherhood.

Through the Regional Art Competition, BE OPEN Art not only fulfills its mission to support upcoming artists worldwide but also fosters artistic innovation, intercultural dialogue, and the preservation of regional identities through contemporary art.

Looking ahead, BE OPEN Regional Art plans to extend the competition to Eastern Asia in 2026, expanding its reach and further nurturing global artistic collaborations. This initiative reaffirms the commitment to amplify voices of diverse artists while promoting cultural exchange in an increasingly interconnected world. By continuously encouraging artistic expression, BE OPEN Art remains a pivotal player in nurturing the creative community across borders, inspiring and empowering artists to share their unique visions and stories.

Thus, the spirit of BE OPEN Art resonates not just through its competitions but also in its ongoing dedication to shaping a vibrant future where art bridges cultures and brings people together, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of our shared humanity.