Gallery named after G. Vashchenko in Gomel: history

Among the many art galleries of the Republic of Belarus, the Gavriil Vaschenko Art Gallery took its special place. The works of the artist were fundamental in the Belarusian art of the middle of the XX - beginning of the XXI centuries at one time. Gavriil Kharitonovich Vaschenko was born in Polesye, and it became a truly Pierian spring for his work: a large number of his works are devoted to the nature of Belarus («First Snow», «Polesskaya Song», «Green Meadow», etc.).

The formation of G. Vashchenko as an artist was primarily influenced by his personal acquaintanceship with N. A. Prakhov, a teacher of art history at the school where the future famous artist studied.

The history of Vashchenko as a recognized talent began in 1957, when he became a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR. By perseverance and work, he also achieved the titles of Honored Artist and People's Artist of Belarus, also becoming a laureate of the State Prize. The works of Gavriil Kharitonovich became known abroad: according to foreign publishers, he became the «Man of the Year» twice: in 1992 and 1994.
The art gallery was opened during the life of the artist: in 2002. Its first exhibits were 50 works of Vaschenko, which he presented as a gift to the city. Further, the exhibition halls were replenished with paintings, which were transferred to the gallery by the artist's wife Matilda.

Gavriil Vashchenko died in 2014 and was buried in Minsk.

The Art Gallery named after G. Vashchenko in Gomel: our days.

Today the art gallery is divided into two buildings: in fact, the gallery itself and the exhibition hall with an art salon. The second was renovated and reopened in 2011, and since then the exhibition hall is opened to events dedicated to art and history.
In addition, there is also a shop of professional products for artists. The gallery has become a place for the creative development of children: there are a children's art studio and a children's figure-sculptural studio.

The art gallery has expanded the number of exhibits to 400 and presents to the eye of visitors not only G. Vaschenko works, but also V. Shkarubo, V. Savich, Z. Litvinov and other Belarusian artists. The whole exhibition Odyssey is located on the second floor of the gallery building, on the very first one gallery annually organizes large-scale exhibitions devoted to contemporary art. Here you can see both general educational events and thematic ones, such as the regularly held exhibition of alive butterflies, the exposition devoted to dinosaurs, the Chernobyl exhibition or the exhibition of glassmaking. The Vashchenko Gallery has been famous for its annual tradition of «Night at the Museum» for many years.

Recently, the G. Vashchenko art gallery has opened new opportunities for young talents: the new project «I am an artist, I see it so» gives artists of all ages a chance not only to put their paintings on any subject to be viewed by visitors, but also to sell it to art lovers.

In summer, the art gallery attracts families with children, couples and groups of friends like a magnet: Sunday music evenings take place on the lawn behind the building.

The art gallery also collaborates with embassies and institutes of Asia, Europe, etc., which allows the exhibition organizers to show pictures and products of foreign talents.

Gallery named after G. Vashchenko in Gomel works:

Daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM without lunch and weekends. Ticket price varies depending on the subject of exhibitions and their dates.