Arsenal Gallery in Białystok

Arsenał Gallery in Białystok is a renowned Polish contemporary art institution, established in 1965 as the Bureau of Art Exhibitions. It is located in the historic building of the former arsenal of Hetman Branicki on Mickiewicza Street. Architecturally, the gallery combines modern elements with a historical context, highlighting the unique character of its exhibition space. The founder and first director, Mikołaj Wołkowycki, held his position for 15 years, and since 1990, the gallery has been managed by Monika Szewczyk. In 1995, as a result of administrative reforms, the gallery became a municipal cultural institution. Arsenał houses two main collections: the first, "Three Currents. Realism – Metaphor – Geometry," includes works from 1965 to 1985, while the second, "Collection II," focuses on art from the 1990s. The collections feature works by renowned artists such as Krzysztof Bednarski, Grzegorz Klaman, Jerzy Lengiewicz, and Dorota Nieznalska. The gallery not only engages in promoting contemporary art but also organizes numerous exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events, making it a significant landmark on the Polish art scene. An interesting fact is that Arsenał Gallery plays an important role in the local community, often collaborating with artists and institutions in the region and organizing events that promote art among a broad audience.