One Hunder Years of School of Arts and Crafts: Three Exhibitions, One History
When the first studios of the School of Arts and Crafts in Brno opened in 1924, no one could have imagined that this institution would become one of the most important places where the artistic culture of the city and the entire country would be shaped throughout the century. Today's Secondary School of Art and Design, known by its popular name Šuřka, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Three exhibitions have been created to mark the occasion, which together tell one story – the story of a school that has influenced thousands of students and is still looking for new ways to combine tradition with the current challenges of contemporary art and design.
How the school lives today
The first of the planned projects, entitled Presently – A Cross-Section of Brno's Secondary School of Art and Design, opened to visitors on September 16 at the House of the Lords of Kunštát. It is not a classic retrospective – quite the contrary. The exhibition focuses on the current state of the school and how studying there influences the lives of students, graduates, and teachers. Visitors can see works from individual fields and also personal stories and experiences that illustrate what it means to be part of Šuřka. What is the role of the school in the lives of its graduates? And how do different generations view their time spent in the studios? This lively and open exhibition offers answers.
Students in the spotlight
A month later, the celebrations will move to Špilberk Castle, where a representative exhibition of student work entitled Šuřka 100 Today will be held. All twelve fields of study at the school will be presented at the Brno City Museum, from fashion design and graphic design to photography and game art to product design, painting, and motion design. The exhibition is divided into two parts, so there will be two openings. The first will take place on October 2, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. and will present the fields of fashion design, interior design, graphic design, space and media, photography, and game art. The second opening will take place on December 4, 2025, also at 5 p.m., and will feature works from the fields of interior and textile design, illustration, eco-textile design, product design, painting, and motion design. Dividing the exhibition into two blocks allows us to showcase the work of all fields in its entirety and give each of them enough space to shine. For many students, this will be their first opportunity to exhibit their work at a major institution - and for visitors, it will be a chance to glimpse the world of young talents who are just beginning to write the next chapters in the school's story.
History written by the head and hands
The main project of the anniversary is, of course, the exhibition By the Head and by the Hands. School of Arts and Crafts in Brno 1924–2024, which will open in October at the House of Arts on Malinovského Square. It looks back on the school's hundred-year history and reveals not only famous personalities and their works, but also the everyday life of education and the process of becoming an artist. From a number of public and private collections, it will present works associated with the school that are not normally seen and which will surprise visitors with their quality. The curators also want to show that behind the big stories there are small details that together form a mosaic of the institution's life.
Three exhibitions, one institution
Together, these three exhibitions form a unique triptych. One looks at the school here and now, the second gives a voice to the students, and the third offers a look back into the past. Together, they paint a rich picture of an institution that has been developing creativity for a hundred years, educating new generations of artists and designers, and remaining firmly connected to Brno.
One Hundred Years of Šuška is not only a reminder of history, but also a celebration of the living present and a challenge for the future. Those who visit all three exhibitions will have the opportunity to experience the entire century of the school – through the eyes of students, teachers, graduates, and those who care for its significance today.