St Petersburg Forum   

                                                   Focus on Arts

                                Competitions and Exhibition 2009

The Forums visit 2009 was a truly stimulating experience for professional artists Pat Kramek and May McMaster. The City was magical showing off its glory the people as ever were warm and friendly. Swan Lake at the Marinski was the ultimate perfection whilst a highlight of Mays visit was a guided talk around the paintings in the Russian Museum.

Pat exhibited 2 works,” The Forth Road Bridge” and “Salmon Huts, St Cyrus” at the Russian Scottish Art Exhibition she later presented these to The House of Friendship. Maureen Rocks Moore’s paintings shone like little jewels in the Exhibition, her main work dedicated to Robert Burns “The Immortal Bard” was gifted to The House of Friendship it was good to see the beautiful works of St Petersburg artists as Nadya Anfalova in the Exhibition.

The Art Competition in the prestigious Russian State Library Gallery in celebration of the ‘Homecoming’ in commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of Robert Burns attracted 150 entrants from schools and art centres around the city. A panel of St Petersburg artists selected 50 final works which were Exhibited and judged during the Opening of Days of Scotland 2009. Many City dignitaries, teachers and students attended the opening there was a great sense of expectation and enthusiasm at the event.

The standard of work was extremely high, the SPF judges were particularly impressed by the strong evidence of creativity and imagination throughout, all  competitors had embraced the essence of Burns given poetry, ‘Address to Edinburgh’, My Hearts in the Highlands’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

The winner of the St Petersburg Forum Award  Artem Urvanets aged 14  produced a striking work evocative of the strong ancient Castle dominating “Edina” the scene of conflict and struggles for power in the turbulent history of Scotland. His bold approach and use of colour created a painting which stood out reflecting Burns portrayal of power and survival.

 SPF presented a unique Award engraved  in Celebration of The Homecoming.

Second place, The Pat Kramek Award went to Alexandra Danilova aged 17 from school 473 who had created a wonderful flight of fancy in her interpretation of My Hearts in the Highlands. The viewer could engage in the dreamlike flight over the countryside and peoples in Burns time suggested by his word pictures.

Third Prize, The May McMaster Award was presented to Alexandra Shepistina aged 14 from Arts Centre Na Vasilievskom. A very different interpretation of My Hearts in the Highlands using strong line and drawing skills to produce a well structured artwork.

Congratulations to all participants in the competition.

The Presentation of the works ‘Getting to Know Russian Art by Scottish Children’ to the Deputy Director of The Russian Museum was made by The Forums Art Director May McMaster. It was a great honour to be given the opportunity to Present the drawings and paintings to the Director . It was a delight that the works of Scottish students were given such a high Profile. A later follow up meeting at the Museum provided a further surprise when The Forum was presented with Certificates for the Scottish Students who had been selected to be exhibited in The Russian Centre of Museum Pedagogic and Children’s Creativity. The Centre has over 3,000 exhibits including international works. Scottish children last exhibited in the Centre in 1960.

Competition 2009 for Scottish Students, ‘Getting to Know Russian Art ‘set by the Russian Museum and coordinated in Scotland by the Forum is currently ongoing. If you would like further information on the project please contact 

maymcmaster@gmail.com

May McMaster BA (Hons} Trustee and Art Director SPF.