Over 6,000 visitors during Graduation Show Minerva Art Academy

More than 1,700 visitors attended the first day of the Graduation Show, opened by Cora-Yfke Sikkema, mayor of Oldambt. In the dust of the historic factory, different worlds converged, as a motley collection of visitors with different backgrounds, stories and nationalities gathered in a long line to enter the exhibition.

Mayor of Oldambt Cora-Yfke Sikkema connects the exhibition to the region in her opening speech. The Municipality of Oldambt, with its unique landscape and monumental buildings, has offered a special place for art and culture since the 1960s. The second edition of the Graduation Show aligns perfectly.

Once inside, the exhibition shows great variety, both in approach, context and material. Ranging from figurative to abstract, from socially engaged to projects in which personal fascination is the starting point. And sometimes big themes meet in the small and in the intimate. Each work is a reflection of the creator's personal background, creativity and vision. Visitors can easily wander around for a few hours in the spaces of the factory, which is filled from top to bottom.

Awards
During opening day, the Minerva Award for Fine Art, Award for Design and Art Education Award were presented. External experts nominated graduating students, after which the winners were chosen by an independent jury consisting of: Charlotte Thomas (Special editor at De Architect), Maria Jager (Artist and art educator Groninger Museum), Mark van Goss (Illustrator, graphic designer and tutor at Amsterdam Fashion Institute) and Gerben Willers (Agent, curator, advisor).

The winners are: Kanna Hakama (Minerva Award for Fine Art), Anna Lebedieva (Minerva Award for Design) and Maartje Mulder (Art Education Award). The jury was impressed by the quality of the work and the inquisitive and experimental attitude of all the graduates.

Later in the week, the winners of the Minerva Research Prize, the Reisma van den Burg Stipendium and the new UMCG Thomassen á Thuessink Young Makers Purchase Prize were also announced. The Minerva Research Prize work was won by Sukhmani Lunial, and for the UMCG Purchase Prize the work of Nayul Kim was selected. The Reisma van den Burg stipend was awarded to Maaike Meindertsma (Fine Art, 2022).

Online gallery
The work of the graduates, nominees and winners can still be viewed in the online gallery.

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