Šī gada 16. jūnijā Latvijas Mākslas akadēmija (LMA) sadarbībā ar “Semarah Hotels” dizaina viesnīcā “Grand Poet” atklāja talantīgā LMA absolventa Roberta Bāliņa personālizstādi “PERSONĪBAS”. Viesnīcas kolekcijā iekļautas jau septiņas jauno latviešu mākslinieku gleznas un šogad tā tiks papildināta ar vienu no jaunā tēlnieka radītajām skulptūrām.

Izstādē “PERSONĪBAS” apvienoti darbi, kuri ir vērsti uz cilvēka būtības izpratni. Ikvienā no darbiem ir sava veida ieskats cilvēka esencē. Šie ieskati vērsti uz konkrētām situācijām, kuras tēlniekam bija svarīgas darbu radīšanas brīdī. Darbos ir apvienotas tradicionālās tēlniecības zināšanas, tehniskās prasmes un mūsdienu problēmas, radot skulptūras ar lielu intensitāti.

“Veidojot savus darbus, es cenšos vienmēr atrast ko interesantu, citādāku – es to saucu par ‘’saldo ēdienu”, no kura nevar atteikties. Jo vairāk darbos šādu vietu, jo labāk! Tie rodas brīdī, kad, veidojot skulptūru, ir sasniegts posms, kad viss zināmais jau ir, un atliek nezināmā un pārsteigumu pilnā veidošanas daļa. Šajā posmā darbs iegūst savu glanci un unikalitāti – to, kāpēc vispār bija vērts veidot darbu. Tās ir nianses, kuru dēļ gribas pateikt “Mmmm” un rodas salda patīkama garša. Tad gribas uzkavēties pie darba maksimāli ilgi un izprast darba būtību,” aicinot apmeklēt personālizstādi, stāsta mākslinieks Roberts Bāliņš.

Latvijas Mākslas akadēmijas profesors, Tēlniecības katedras vadītājs Gļebs Panteļejevs Robertu raksturo kā tēlnieku, kas talantīgi spēj ietērpt savu stāstu fiziskā veidolā: “Roberta antropocentriskajā mākslā pastāv netverama, gaisīga materialitāte, viegluma efekts ir organisks un pašsaprotams. Ir sajūta, ka darbi radušies paši, izkristalizējušies no pirmatnējā ķīmisko elementu šķīduma un, autora uzburti, veidojas un izaug no nezināmā substrāta. Roberts ir liels stāstnieks, turklāt viņam izdodas veikli nepaklupt aiz vēlmes izstāstīt visu, tagad un tūlīt. Viens no mākslinieka veiksmes nosacījumiem ir savas mākslas valodas un tehnisko paņēmienu atrašana.”

Veidojot unikālu jauno Latvijas mākslinieku darbu kolekciju, “Grand Poet” katras izstādes noslēgumā iegādājas vienu izstādes apmeklētāju novērtētāko darbu un iekļauj to viesnīcas mākslas kolekcijā “Grand Poet Art Collection”.

“Man ir patiess prieks, ka, turpinot jau iesākto tradīciju, arī šogad apmeklētāji mūsu viesnīcas telpās var baudīt mākslu. Šoreiz apskatei ir eksponēts citādāks mākslas virziens – tēlniecība – un drīz viesnīcas kolekcija tiks papildināta ar jaunā, daudzsološā mākslinieka skulptūru,” stāsta “Grand Poet” vadītājs Māris Alnis, piebilstot, ka darbus var novērtēt ikviens izstādes apmeklētājs, piešķirot sirdij tuvākajam darbam uzlīmi – monētu 5 grandu vērtībā. Balsojuma uzlīmes iespējams saņemt “Grand Poet”.

Pasākuma galerija

Par mākslinieku Robertu Bāliņu

Roberts Bāliņš 2022. gadā absolvējis LMA, iegūstot bakalaura grādu tēlniecības nodaļā. Piedalījies tādos projektos kā starptautiskā kopizstāde Japānā “Transformation”(2021), kopizstāde Liepājas muzejā (2020), kopizstāde Kultūrtelpā Točka (2020), kopizstāde pie Raiņa pieminekļa (2021), kopizstāde Dzelzceļa muzejā “Mākslas Otrā Puse” (2021), Kultūrdevas “100 g kultūras” (2020), kā arī uzstādīts viņa vides objekts pie Ogres slimnīcas (2020).

Darbus var novērtēt ikviens apmeklētājs, piešķirot sirdij tuvākajam darbam uzlīmi – 5 grandus

Veidojot unikālu jauno Latvijas mākslinieku darbu kolekciju, “Grand Poet” katras izstādes noslēgumā iegādājas vienu izstādes apmeklētāju novērtētāko gleznu un iekļauj to viesnīcas mākslas kolekcijā “Grand Poet Art Collection”.

“Mākslai ir nezūdoša vērtība, tāpēc mēs ar patiesu prieku atbalstām jaunos Latvijas māksliniekus, kas šajā saspringtajā laikā spēj mūs iedvesmot. Sandras Strēles mākslas darbs būs lielisks papildinājums viesnīcas jauno Latvijas mākslinieku darbu kolekcijai,” stāsta “Grand Poet” vadītājs Māris Alnis, piebilstot, ka darbus var novērtēt ikviens galerijas apmeklētājs, piešķirot sirdij tuvākajam darbam uzlīmi – monētu 5 grandu vērtībā. Balsojuma uzlīmes iespējams saņemt “Grand Poet”.

Par “Grand Poet Art Collection”

2018. gada 14. jūnijā Latvijas Mākslas akadēmija un viesnīcu tīkls “Semarah Hotels” noslēdza sadarbības memorandu jauno mākslinieku atbalstam un attīstībai. Tā mērķis ir atbalstīt akadēmijas studentus un Latvijas jaunos māksliniekus – iedrošināt jauniem sasniegumiem, celt pašapziņu un veidot starptautisku karjeru, sniegt finansiālu atbalstu talanta izkopšanai, radīt telpu personālizstāžu veidošanai, tādējādi veicinot mākslas attīstību Latvijā.

Par “Grand Poet”

“Grand Poet” izveidojusi Latvijā radītā viesnīcu ķēde “Semarah Hotels”. Šobrīd viesnīcu tīkls var lepoties ar kūrorta viesnīcu “Lielupe” Jūrmalā un divām viesnīcām Rīgā – četrzvaigžņu vēsturisko viesnīcu “Metropole” Aspazijas bulvārī un eleganto pieczvaigžņu dizaina viesnīcu “Grand Poet Hotel” Raiņa bulvārī 5/6. Katra no tām ir ar savu unikālo stāstu un vērtībām.

“Grand Poet” jaunradītais “Diplohēmijas” koncepts apvieno diplomātijai un bohēmai raksturīgos dizaina risinājumus, ko veidojusi starptautiski atzītā un godalgotā koncepta un dizaina aģentūra “Stylt Trampoli” (Zviedrija). Savukārt, projektu izstrādājis arhitektu birojs “Sarma un Norde” (Latvija), saglabājot ēkas arhitektonisko unikalitāti. Viesnīcas nosaukums sevī nes dualitāti, kas bieži vien iemiesojas arī dzejniekos – lietišķums un bohēmiskums.

The Art Academy of Latvia (AAL) in cooperation with Semarah Hotels opened solo exhibition “OTHER TIMES” (CITI LAIKI) by the talented AAL graduate Sandra Strēle at the design hotel Grand Poet on Tuesday, October 12. At the moment, the hotel’s collection includes six paintings by young up-and-coming Latvian artists.

“In my creative work, I have always tried to do paintings as series of stories evolving over the time, which change and complement each other from one exhibition to another, encouraging the most attentive viewers to look for recognizable motifs they have seen before. The exhibition includes paintings from various series of my works that I’ve been working on since 2017,” says artist Sandra Strēle, inviting one and all to visit the gallery.

The Art Academy of Latvia Professor and Vice-Rector Andris Vītoliņš took part in the opening of Sandra Strēle’s solo exhibition, and he describes Sandra as a very determined and goal-oriented young artist: “Sandra Strēle came to my attention as a third-year student when, working on her assignments, she was doing 100% more than her peers. At that time, in order to implement the idea of ​​her work of art, Sandra was ready to travel hundreds of kilometres from Riga to a remote corner of Latvia just to achieve her goal. Over time, her perseverance and efficiency have won important awards at various local and international competitions. This does not mean that Sandra is resting on her laurels. She continues to work persistently, currently she is studying for her doctorate at the Art Academy of Latvia and preparing for new exhibitions abroad.”

The exhibition features works from the series “MELANCHOLY” (MELANHOLIJA) and “NOSTALGIA” (NOSTALGIJA)

The exhibition features works, which focus on the creation of closed, alienated, sometimes lonely places, their architecture and fictional everyday scenes, offering the viewer the role of an observer. In turn, the series “Exhibitions that Did not Take Place” (Nenotikušās izstādes) focuses on the problems of the artist’s profession by visualizing the ideas of various painting exhibitions and trying to find out what microscopic part of all these ideas are ever realized, and whether they have to be realized at all. This series also reflects on what it means to be a successful artist and what it means to be a female artist.

About artist Sandra Strēle

Sandra Strēle was born in 1991. In 2016, she graduated from the Art Academy of Latvia with a Master’s degree in painting, she also spent one semester, as part of a student exchange program, at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. She has received a visual arts scholarship from the Boris and Inara Teterev Foundation (2012), Brederlo von Sengbusch Art Prize (2014), a SEB Bank scholarship in Painting (2016), prestigious scholarships from The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation in Canada (2019, 2021), and the Young Painter’s Award (2019). Sandra Strēle has had several solo exhibitions, participated in group exhibitions and artist residencies in Italy, Norway, India, Belgium, Germany, France and elsewhere.

Every visitor to the gallery can vote for his or her favourite work

To create a unique collection of works by young Latvian artists, at the end of each exhibition Grand Poet purchases one of the paintings most popular with the visitors, to be included in the hotel’s Grand Poet Art Collection.

“Art has enduring value, and we are really happy to support young Latvian artists who are able to inspire us in this stressful time. Sandra Strēle’s artwork will be a great addition to the hotel’s collection of works by young Latvian artists,” says Grand Poet head Māris Alnis, adding that every visitor to the gallery can vote for his or her favourite work by awarding it a 5 grand sticker. The voting stickers are available at Grand Poet.

About Grand Poet Art Collection

On June 14, 2018 the Art Academy of Latvia and Semarah Hotels chain of hotels signed a memorandum of understanding on support for the development of young artists. The objective is to support the academy’s students and young Latvian artists – to encourage them to strive for new achievements, build self-confidence and pursue an international career, provide financial support for talent development, create a space for solo exhibitions, thereby promoting the development of art in Latvia.

About Grand Poet

Grand Poet hotel was opened by Semarah Hotels, a hotel chain founded in Latvia. At the moment, the hotel chain includes resort hotel Lielupe in Jūrmala and two hotels in Riga: the four-star historic Metropole hotel on Aspazijas Boulevard and the elegant five-star design hotel Grand Poet Hotel at 5/6 Raiņa Boulevard. Each one has its own unique story to tell.

Grand Poet hotel’s Diplohemia concept combines diplomatic and bohemian design solutions developed by the internationally acclaimed and award-winning concept and design agency Stylt Trampoli (Sweden). The hotel was designed by the architectural firm Sarma un Norde (Latvia), preserving the architectural uniqueness of the building. The name of the hotel carries a duality that is often embodied in poets – earnest and bohemian.

Learn more about artist Sandra Strēle here

Metropole Hotel is officially opened in Riga

According to hotel representatives, the first hotels in Riga appeared in the second half of the 18th century and among them – Metropole, which has retained its historical name to this day and was the oldest and first business class hotel in independent Latvia.

The hotel has 88 rooms of various categories and areas, including 4 Superior rooms (22-24 m2), 4 Executive rooms (32-34 m2), 1 Junior Suite (50 m2), 2 Suite rooms (80-110 m2), 1 Presidential Suite (190 m2).

The hotel building was built in 1871 according to the design of architect Edelson. An elevator for guests’ convenience was installed in the building in 1927.

The reconstruction project has been gentle and sensitive to historical values.

De Commerce Gastro Pub 1871 is located on the ground floor of the hotel, where it has historically been located.

See more photos here.

Atgriezies no izbraukuma spēlēm, Rīgas Dinamo hokejists Kaspars Saulietis brīvdienu izmantoja kopīgā atpūtā ar ģimeni – viņš ar sievu Katrīni un meitām Kortniju un Keriju devās uz Lielupi, kur jūras vēja un priežu meža ieskauta ērti novietota Lielupe by Semarah Hotels.

“Esam daudz kur bijuši un droši varam teikt, ka šādu vietu ir retums – kur tik ļoti viss līdz sīkumiem padomāts par ģimenēm ar bērniem un viņu ērtībām. Mēs ar Kasparu varējām nesteidzīgi baudīt atpūtu baseinā, džakuzi, pirtīs un trenažieru zālē, lieki nesatraucoties par to, kā jūtas meitas, ko viņas dara, vai viņām nav garlaicīgi. Bērniem šī viesnīca piedāvā tik daudz un aizraujošu nodarbju, ka līdzi paņemtās mīļākās rotaļlietas bija liekas. Mēs noteikti šeit vēl atgriezīsimies un visiem citiem iesakām izbaudīt ģimeniskas brīvdienas viesnīcā Lielupe.” par atpūtu Jūrmalas viesnīcā gandarīta ir Katrīne Sauliete.

Sauliešu meitām šis brauciens uz Jūrmalu bija pārsteigums, un, uzzinot, ka paliks viesnīcā pa nakti, Kortnija un Kerija bija stāvā sajūsmā. Ierodoties viesnīcā, Katrīnes un Kaspara atvases reģistrējās īpašā recepcijā bērniem. Viesnīcas administratores apdāvināja meitenes ar košiem baloniem, krāsainiem zīmuļiem, krāsojamām lapām un izsniedza speciālu reģistrācijas anketu bērniem, ko Kerija ar prieku aizpildīja, sarakstot to arī jaunākās māsas vietā.

Lasīt vairāk šeit.

After less than a year of reconstruction, the former Jurmala hotel Lielupe has been opened, where the 4-star hotel Lielupe by Semarah Hotels has now officially started operating, informs the hotel representatives.

Approximately 15 million euros have been invested in the interior reconstruction of the hotel.

“We are pleased that our hotel has become not only more modern, but also more friendly for families with children and lovers of various SPA services. In addition, we plan that after the reconstruction, our offer will seem interesting not only to the guests of the city, but also to the local residents. While the younger generation will relax in the Children’s Club, parents will be able to enjoy the SPA and Wellness Center. In turn, the conference rooms will be able to host both local and international events,” emphasizes the hotel manager Juris Baumerts.

More photos here.

The Art Academy of Latvia continues to cooperate with Semarah Hotels to support young and talented Latvian artists, and the sixth solo exhibition opened at Grand Poet Hotel on Wednesday, August 12, featuring works by LAA graduate Laura Veļa. The exhibition is titled “Nekas/Nothingness” and it will run until November this year.

Painter Laura Veļa, an AAL graduate whose works are currently exhibited at Grand Poet Hotel: “When I’m working, the creative impulse comes from the social environment and observations, but the sources of inspiration for the works at the exhibition include music, feelings and colours. These works portray abstract, mystical places where nothing happens, which are in an intermediate state before something. That moment of endless possibilities to me is the big NOTHINGNESS.” The artist explains that the sole purpose of the paintings is to take the mind to a peaceful, visually meditative state, when the mind is quiet, without any thoughts, dogmas, ideas and concepts.

Laura Veļa was born in 1983. She enrolled at the AAL (2013–2017), first obtaining a bachelor’s degree in painting, later, thanks to a scholarship from the Boris and Inara Teterev Foundation, she continued studying for her Master’s degree at the AAL Painting Department (2017 – 2019). Laura Veļa’s works are in private collections in Latvia, the United States, Netherlands, France and Germany. This is the artist’s fourth solo exhibition.

“Laura has her own worldview, own opinion of the world and life, and the ability to reflect this in her works, experimenting and trying to find a new dimension. The works are notable for their directness, simplicity of form and, most importantly, you just want to look at them. In my opinion, Laura already has earned a prominent place in the Latvian art world and is a remarkable artist,” painter and AAL Professor Kaspars Zariņš comments on the graduate’s talent.

Every visitor to the gallery can assess the works at the exhibition by awarding a five-grand sticker coin to his or her favourite painting. The voting stickers are available at Grand Poet Hotel.

“This is our first solo exhibition this year. It is great to be back after a long break and see that the young artist has been able to pleasantly surprise us, because her works not only reveal the story of the exhibition, it is also a story about herself,” says Māris Alnis, Head of Grand Poet Hotel, adding that works of art at the hotel make hotel rooms more lively.  That is why Grand Poet Hotel will continue building its unique and inspiring collection of works by young Latvian artists, buying a painting most popular with the visitors at the end of each exhibition to include it in the Grand Poet Art Collection.

Currently, the collection already includes five works by young Latvian artists – Madara Kvēpa, Justīne Seile, Ella Mežule, Agate Bernāne, and Kristīne Rublovska. The paintings are now showcased in the hotel to delight visitors, art and life lovers from all over the world.

About Grand Poet Art Collection

On June 14, 2018 the Art Academy of Latvia and Semarah Hotels chain of hotels signed a memorandum of understanding on support for the development of young artists. The objective is to support the academy’s students and young Latvian artists – to encourage them to strive for new achievements, build self-confidence and pursue an international career, provide financial support for talent development, create a space for solo exhibitions, thereby promoting the development of art in Latvia.

About Grand Poet Hotel

Grand Poet Hotel was opened by Semarah Hotels, a hotel chain founded in Latvia. At the moment, the hotel chain includes resort hotel Lielupe in Jūrmala and two hotels in Riga: the four-star historic Metropole hotel on Aspazijas Boulevard and the elegant five-star design hotel Grand Poet Hotel at 5/6 Raiņa Boulevard. Each one has its own unique story to tell.

Grand Poet Hotel’s Diplohemia concept combines diplomatic and bohemian design solutions developed by the internationally acclaimed and award-winning concept and design agency Stylt Trampoli (Sweden). The hotel was designed by the architectural firm Sarma un Norde (Latvia), preserving the architectural uniqueness of the building. The name of the hotel carries a duality that is often embodied in poets – earnest and bohemian.

On Friday, November 1, the Art Academy of Latvia (AAL) in cooperation with Semarah Hotels opened the fifth art exhibition at the design hotel Grand Poet Hotel. This time, everyone interested has the opportunity to see solo exhibition “Beings” (Būtnes) by Kristīne Rublovska, a talented artist who graduated from the AAL earlier this year.

“I seek inspiration for my works in nature and people, because I paint what I see, I just interpret it the way I see things. Since detail and materiality are very important to me, I tend to reflect on the tactile experience. In some places the paintings resemble fluffy fabric, in others, natural shapes, grass stalks, animal furs can be discerned. In general, the works at this exhibition are a kind of mystical stories with a plot that is not easy to follow, which leaves room for the viewer’s free interpretation,” says painter Kristīne Rublovska, inviting everyone to visit the gallery.

Kristīne Rublovska’s solo exhibition was opened by the AAL Rector Kristaps Zariņš, AAL Associate Professor, painter Vija Zariņa, as well as other representatives from the AAL and the Grand Poet Hotel Head Māris Alnis. Family members and close friends were also present to support the artist.

The Art Academy of Latvia Associate Professor, painter Vija Zariņa describes the works of the young artist as emotional, deep and beautiful: “It was a pleasure for me to be the supervisor of Kristīne’s Master’s thesis. From the very beginning, I observed great drawing skills in Kristīne’s works of art, an excellent sense of colour and attention to detail, bringing everything together in a personal story. The artist is able to conjure her stories with confidence and skill.”

The title of the exhibition, “Beings” includes key words that interact and describe the overall idea. These include “beings” (būtnes), “to be” (būt), “I” (es), “carry” (nes) and a negative “not” (ne), or contradiction. The word “beings” has three meanings in Latvian. It refers to living beings, human nature, and imaginary shapes, images. In this case, “beings” encompass all three aspects and address such a controversial yet captivating subject as melancholy. The artist’s melancholy is a stage at which sadness is unified with happy feelings, and the aim is to create a sense of presence of contradictions, while at the same time to create a harmonious overall atmosphere.

Kristīne Rublovska was born in 1986. She started studying painting at the Art Academy of Latvia (2013–2017), first obtaining a bachelor’s degree in textile arts, then continued her Master’s studies at the academy’s Painting Department (2017–2019), graduating this year. She collaborates with artists in different fields, for instance, with choreographers, working on set and costume design. Kristīne Rublovska’s works have been exhibited in many galleries in Latvia, as well as abroad, for example, in Estonia and Belarus. The exhibition at Grand Poet Art Collection is her first solo exhibition in Riga.

“Grand Poet Hotel is creating a unique and inspiring collection of works by young Latvian artists – after each exhibition, the hotel purchases one painting from the exhibition that was the most popular with the visitors, and includes it in the Grand Poet Art Collection,” says Māris Alnis, Head of Grand Poet Hotel. Each visitor to the gallery can vote for his or her favourite work of art by awarding it a special sticker – a five-grand coin. The voting stickers are available at Grand Poet Hotel.

About Grand Poet Art Collection

On June 14, 2018 the Art Academy of Latvia and Semarah Hotels chain of hotels signed a memorandum of understanding on support for the development of young artists. The objective is to support the academy’s students and young Latvian artists – to encourage them to strive for new achievements, build self-confidence and pursue an international career, provide financial support for talent development, create a space for solo exhibitions, thereby promoting the development of art in Latvia.

About Grand Poet Hotel

Grand Poet Hotel was opened by Semarah Hotels, a hotel chain founded in Latvia. At the moment, the hotel chain includes resort hotel Lielupe in Jūrmala and two hotels in Riga: the four-star historic Metropole hotel on Aspazijas Boulevard and the elegant five-star design hotel Grand Poet Hotel at 5/6 Raiņa Boulevard. Each one has its own unique story to tell.

Grand Poet Hotel’s Diplohemia concept combines diplomatic and bohemian design solutions developed by the internationally acclaimed and award-winning concept and design agency Stylt Trampoli (Sweden). The hotel was designed by the architectural firm Sarma un Norde (Latvia), preserving the architectural uniqueness of the building. The name of the hotel carries a duality that is often embodied in poets – earnest and bohemian.

Marking one year since the launch of cooperation between the Art Academy of Latvia (AAL) and Semarah Hotels to support young and talented Latvian artists, on Wednesday, July 10, the fourth solo exhibition opened at the design hotel Grand Poet Hotel. Until October 10, anyone interested will have the opportunity to see the works of Agate Bernāne, a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in painting at the Art Academy of Latvia. The exhibition is titled “Girl with a Canary” (Meitene ar kanārijputniņu).

“I believe that a good artist must challenge him or herself. While working on my paintings, I do a great deal of research and also dispute my own thoughts. It creates new ideas and changes the view of what is happening around. Inspiration to paint comes completely unexpectedly. Anything can cause it – a dusty windowsill, a pile of laundry, broken nail polish, tension, dreams – everything that creates the respective feelings. Sometimes it’s easier to paint than to find the right words to explain how I feel. In the process of creation, I seem to merge with the work I am creating, give it my inspiration, so that it can continue to live independently,” says Agate Bernāne, urging anyone interested to come see the exhibition.

Inese Baranovska, head of the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design of the Latvian National Museum of Art and lecturer at the Art Academy of Latvia, emphasizes that Agate’s works stand out among other students with their unusual perception of the world. “Her paintings have a visual sensitivity, the ability to see and behold. The artist reflects on the processes of everyday life, but in every seemingly banal routine phenomenon she tries to capture the entire universe, connecting the forms of the past, present and future. In the painted visions, everyday reality alternates with imaginations and dreams – replicas of art history, travel notes, popular cultural signs and rituals of everyday life,” Inese Baranovska says about her student’s works.

The paintings at the exhibition have been made during the last two years. The artist philosophically explains that they are paintings of one and the same dream. Being in front of the canvas, brushes and paints evokes the pleasant excitement of meeting a canary. In the dream, the girl is visited by a canary. She feeds and strokes it. Within the white walls of the apartment, she lets it fly. The bird has neither a name nor a certain age, she does not know where the bird comes from and where it disappears, but she feels attached to it. The food and water feeders for the bird are empty, and the girl feeds it again, caresses it and listens to its song. This is how they meet – sometimes often, sometimes less often – for almost two years.

Agate Bernāne was born in 1996. She has studied at Janis Rozentāls Riga Art School (2012–2016) and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the Art Academy of Latvia. She has participated in such projects as “Film Art Action Party” (2015), “Art Belongs to the People” (2015), “RAF. Jelgava. Art.” (2013), as well as in several group exhibitions. Twice (2014, 2015) she has received the excellence scholarship of Petr Aven charity foundation Generation (Paaudze). In June of this year, she represented the AAL at the international contemporary art fair ArtVilnius’19.

The exhibition at Grand Poet Hotel is the artist’s first solo exhibition.

Any visitor can vote for his or her favourite painting by assigning a special sticker to it – a five-grand coin available at the hotel. Māris Alnis, head of Grand Poet Hotel, explains that at the end of each quarterly exhibition, the hotel purchases the highest-voted painting of the exhibition to create a unique collection of works by young Latvian artists, Grand Poet Art Collection. At the moment, the collection already includes works by three young artists – Madara Kvēpa, Justīne Seile and Ella Mežule. The paintings are now showcased in the hotel to delight visitors, art and life lovers from all over the world. The next exhibition will open in the autumn.

About Grand Poet Art Collection

On June 14, 2018 the Art Academy of Latvia and Semarah Hotels chain of hotels signed a memorandum of understanding on support for the development of young artists. The objective is to support the academy’s students and young Latvian artists – to encourage them to strive for new achievements, build self-confidence and pursue an international career, provide financial support for talent development, create a space for solo exhibitions, thereby promoting the development of art in Latvia.

About Grand Poet Hotel

Grand Poet Hotel was opened by Semarah Hotels, a hotel chain founded in Latvia. At the moment, the hotel chain includes resort hotel Lielupe in Jūrmala and two hotels in Riga: the four-star historic Metropole hotel on Aspazijas Boulevard and the elegant five-star design hotel Grand Poet Hotel at 5/6 Raiņa Boulevard. Each one has its own unique story to tell.

Grand Poet Hotel’s Diplohemia concept combines diplomatic and bohemian design solutions developed by the internationally acclaimed and award-winning concept and design agency Stylt Trampoli (Sweden). The hotel was designed by the architectural firm Sarma un Norde (Latvia), preserving the architectural uniqueness of the building. The name of the hotel carries a duality that is often embodied in poets – earnest and bohemian.