Friends of Polish Art and the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake Relaunch Longstanding Fine Arts Competition

The juried exhibition will take place October 5–24, 2025, at the Galeria on the Orchard Lake Schools campus, a fitting and inspiring venue for this showcase of creativity and heritage.

"This competition has long been a cornerstone of Friends of Polish Art's mission, and we are thrilled to be working closely with the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake on this exciting relaunch," said Brian Malski, President of Friends of Polish Art. "We look forward to the talented works that will be shared and to the vibrant exchange of ideas this partnership encourages."

"It is a joy to partner with Friends of Polish Art and to welcome artists and their work into the Galeria—a setting that perfectly complements the power and beauty of artistic expression," said
Ania Bieciuk, Associate Director for Polonia Affairs at the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake.

This open call invites all artists aged 18 and older—across all media and backgrounds—to submit their recent work. While all themes are welcome, artists are especially encouraged to explore subjects that interpret, reflect on, or are inspired by Poland and Polish culture in its many dimensions—past and present, personal or collective. Works need not be Polish-themed to be considered, but those that thoughtfully engage with Polish heritage will be eligible for a special prize category.

Cash awards include $500 for Best in Show, $400 for Best Polish Theme, and additional recognition for artistic merit.

Submissions are open now through September 2, 2025. Artists may submit up to five works. A $30 entry fee covers all five submissions, which must be entered individually at:

https://www.friendsofpolishart.org/competitions/fine-arts-competition

The 2025 competition will be juried by Professor Martin Zane Skalski, a Fulbright Scholar and respected artist and educator who taught for over 25 years at Pratt Institute and has led design projects and exhibitions internationally.

The public is warmly invited to attend the Opening Reception on Sunday, October 5, from 2:00–5:00 PM, with the Awards Ceremony at 3:00 PM.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Competition and Richard Kubiński

Established in 1985, the Friends of Polish Art Fine Arts Competition was created to support artists of Polish descent and promote Polish cultural expression. It was later named in honor of Richard Kubiński, a gifted painter, poet, translator, educator, and cultural advocate who served as FPA vice president and chair of cultural activities. A Kosciuszko Foundation art scholar who studied in Poland, Kubiński was known for his talents across many media. His untimely death at 34 left a lasting legacy, and this exhibition remains a tribute to his vision and dedication to the Polish-American community.

About the Organizers

Friends of Polish Art, founded in 1937, is one of Michigan's oldest cultural organizations. Its mission is to support and promote Polish art, language, and heritage through exhibitions, scholarships, and community engagement.

The Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake is a cultural and academic institution devoted to the preservation of Polish-American history, education, and the arts through exhibitions, research, and public programs on the Orchard Lake Schools campus.