11th International Watercolor Biennial Baltic Bridges. 2026. Infinity

For the eleventh time in Lithuania (ten of which took place specifically in Kaunas), the international watercolor biennial "Baltic Bridges" will be held. Having started two decades ago as a bold adventure by the then-chairman of the Kaunas branch of the Lithuanian Artists' Association, watercolorist Eugenijus Nalevaika, and his creative team, the international watercolor exhibition has grown into a solid event that connects not only artists from countries around the Baltic Sea but also encompasses a much broader geographical and creative territory. The theme of this year's biennial - Infinity - can be understood both as a reference to continuity and as a hint at the unknown. Time will tell what the future of watercolor will be in a constantly changing, rapidly digitizing world that is trying (not) to succumb to artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, it is worth remembering that watercolor, by its nature, can be considered one of the oldest painting techniques. After all, ancient carvings on cave walls were colored with naturally extracted pigments, which are also the basis of classical traditional watercolor. Furthermore, the ancient papyri from Egypt. There, too, is watercolor! It seems simple: pigment, gum arabic, honey. And of course – water! However, in the exhibition spaces of the international watercolor biennial "Baltic Bridges," you will discover unexpected things: non-traditional formats and display methods, the use of watercolor or simply different pigments in textiles, digital images, or on paper; you will be able to observe and marvel at how the intensity of color (does not) change over time and with changing environmental conditions. More than 70 authors representing eleven countries will share their searches and discoveries in contemporary watercolor. You will meet both masters of watercolor and young creators who have chosen watercolor as their primary means of creative expression. The second opening of the 11th International Watercolor Biennial "Baltic Bridges. 2026. Infinity" will take place on November 13 at 6:00 PM at the Lithuanian Artists' Association Kaunas branch gallery "Drobė" (Drobės St. 62-308, Kaunas). A selection of watercolors and art installations from 70 artists from various countries will be presented. Exhibition space curator: Eugenijus Nalevaika. The exhibition will run until December 5, 2026. Other exhibition locations: Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum exhibition space ZOO (Laisvės Ave. 106, opening on Saturday, November 14, at 3:00 PM). Vilnius Academy of Arts Kaunas Faculty gallery "Muitinė" (Muitinės St. 2, Kaunas, opening on Friday, November 13, at 4:00 PM). Exhibition space curator: Deimantė Petkevičiūtė. Accompanying biennial events: a personal exhibition by Alytus-based watercolorist Benjaminas Jenčius titled "Beno akvatorijos" will await viewers at the Kaunas State Philharmonic (E. Ožeškienės St. 12, opening at 1:00 PM) starting November 14, and the exhibition "Pokyčių nuotaikoje / In the Mood for Change" by Latvian artist Baiba Priedīte (Daugavpils) will be open for visits at the Kaunas University of Applied Sciences Arts Academy "Pelėdų kalnas" gallery (A. Mackevičiaus St. 27) starting December 1. An opening meeting with the author and creative workshops are scheduled for December 5 from 1:00 PM. The organizer of the project 11th International Watercolor Biennial "Baltic Bridges. 2026. Infinity" is the public institution "Meno forma". Partners: Vilnius Academy of Arts Kaunas Faculty, Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum, Kaunas University of Applied Sciences Arts Academy, Kaunas State Philharmonic, Lithuanian Artists' Association Kaunas branch. The project is partially funded by Kaunas City Municipality.