Patrons’ Club
Text: Marek Veselý; Photo: Archive
It all started two years ago, with a meeting with five existing supporters who were sending small amounts to the Stanislav Libenský Award. I then started reaching out to business personalities and artists, and the Patrons’ Club was born. It has over thirty members, and thanks to that we were able to finance last year’s competition solely from club contributions. We inspire and help each other; in short, any problem can be solved in the Patrons’ Club.
In addition to their love of art, the club members are united by other motivations. Some have a deep connection to glassmaking, while others want to meet interesting people or enjoy contributing to a good cause.
Everyone brings their knowledge, skills, opportunities, and contacts to the table, and they all grow together. They know that they are also helping young artists develop.
Patrons’ Club
The highlight of the club’s meetings is the annual Stanislav Libenský Awards ceremony. This competition has been running for 15 years, and is only open to recent graduates of glass schools from around the world. An international jury selects 40 to 50 of the best works from the entries, which are then exhibited in Prague. Over the past 15 years, it has presented nearly 600 artists from the US and Canada to Europe, China, Australia, Japan, and Korea.
The winner receives tuition to the most famous summer school of glass art in Pilchuck, where the world’s best professors and artists teach. For many glassmakers, this is their first step onto the international scene, which is the primary purpose of the competition. After graduating from university, artists often lose their support system and struggle to continue creating.
Stanislav Libenský Award
Stanislav Libenský Award
The Stanislav Libenský Award has become a prestigious competition. The award has opened the door to exhibitions and other projects for its winners. Without the Patrons’ Club, the competition could not function. If you are interested in finding more about us, you are welcome to visit our website, klubpatronu.cz.
Marek Veselý is a Czech businessman, artist, and art producer. In 2007, he founded the non-profit organization Prague Gallery of Czech Glass, providing an informal space for meetings devoted to the history and presence of Czech glass art. In 2009, the gallery under his leadership organised the first Stanislav Libenský Award, open to young artists worldwide, graduates of bachelor’s or master’s degrees who have used glass in their final work.