In 2022, Rucka Art Foundation has successfully implemented three unique exhibitions in Latvia, including the multimedia exhibition “Invisible Lives” which was also held in Serbia and Montenegro, as well as an international artist residency at Rucka Artist Residency with artist presentations and other public events in Cesis. Whereas, in summer, a photography workshop lead by visual artist Vika Eksta took place, in which the youth of Cesis participated, creating an open-air exhibition in Rucka Park. At the same time, nine summer schools and events organized by other organizations took place at Rucka Manor, gathering more than 200 people from Latvia and abroad.

The multimedia exhibition “Invisible Lives” produced by the Rucka Art Foundation was available to the general public from April 7 to June 5 at the premises of shopping center Origo in Riga. Whereas, from June 9 to August 14, the second stage of the exhibition was held in Vidzeme concert hall “Cesis”, where it was also included in the program of the sixteenth Cesis Art Festival. The exhibition “Invisible Lives” tells the story of people with visual impairments living in Cesis and their experiences, thereby revealing to the public the reality that people with visual impairment face on a daily basis. The exhibition is an unprecedented event in Latvia – it was adapted for people with visual impairment. The exhibition allowed the its attendees to get acquainted with the content of the images by listening to audio descriptions or tiflo-commentary, while tactile signs and other creative solutions helped to navigate the room. The works for the exhibition were created by 15 photographers from Latvia, Serbia and Montenegro in cooperation with representatives of Cesis territorial organization of the Blind Society of Latvia. In autumn, with support of the associations Kulturanova (Serbia) and Art365 (Montenegro), the exhibition was also opened in Novi Sad, Serbia, and Podgorica, Montenegro. Whereas, the creators of the exhibition, curator Līga Lindenbauma, producer Agnese Zviedre and the author of the graphic design of the exhibition, Elīna Bušmane, explained the importance and approaches of inclusive art content to different audiences in a series of several events, using the exhibition “Invisible Lives” as an example of creating an inclusive cultural offer.

In April and May, 2022, an international artist residency was implemented in two parts at Rucka Artist Residency with the participation of 10 artists, representing 9 countries. During the residency, artists’ presentation evenings and other events were held in interaction with the residents of Cesis. Concluding the residency with a photo and installation exhibition “VISUMS”, which was open from June 9 to the end of August at two locations in Cesis – Cesis Saint Anna’s church and art space MALA. Whereas, in July, twelve young people from Cesis, learned the basics of photography and created photo works for the open-air exhibition “Youth Manifesto” in Vika Eksta’s photography workshop. The exhibition at Rucka Park, in Cesis was on display for free until August 28.

In summer of 2022, 9 events and summer schools organized by other organizations took place at Rucka Artist Residency. International master class organized by ISSP, gathering 18 photographers from 14 countries. The New Theater Institute of Latvia residency for 10 young curators during the international cooperation project “Apvērsums”. Association of Latvian Young Scientists summer school for more than 30 young scientists. An international summer school of socially involved art, attended by 30 artists from various fields, activists and representatives of cultural industries from Latvia, Poland, Estonia and Belarus. The third design summer school implemented by the Latvian Designers’ Society. Baltic Analog Lab summer school “SPECTRAL”, dedicated to the extended practice of cinema art, gathering 40 participants from more than 15 countries. The third summer school of Cesis Pluriversity with public events in the outdoor classroom “Jume”, created in the garden of the Rucka Manor. Closing the season with the Baltic Summer School of Anthropology, which gathered anthropologists from 11 countries. In October, the “GreenFest’22 Cesis” festival was held in Rucka Manor and park, inviting to talk with architects, geologists, geographers, urban planners and, in parallel with the conversations, offering exhibitions, various workshops and a craft and organic food market.

We thank our financial supporters Creative Europe program “Culture” for supporting the “Invisible lives” project, the State Cultural Capital Foundation, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and the Social Integration Foundation, the Ministry of Welfare, AS “Latvijas valsts meži”, Vidzeme Planning Region, Cesis Culture and Tourism Center , the Embassy of Israel in Latvia, the “Active Citizens Fund” grant program, which is financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and the Norwegian grant program. Many thanks to our cooperation partners Kulturanova and Art365, art space MALA, Vidzeme concert hall “Cesis”, Latvian Society of the Blind, shopping center “Origo”, Balta, Tilde, Design Elevator, Solavi, Sony for the technical support, to the movement of gourmet “Gardu muti” and to cafe “Pagrabiņš”, as well as to all summer school organizers!