Refectory Gallery

Refektarz Gallery is a municipal cultural institution and contemporary art gallery in Kartuzy, established on December 5, 1995, in the former refectory of the Carthusian Monastery. The location was discovered by Prof. Józefa Wnukowa, a renowned artist and co-founder of the Gdańsk Academy of Fine Arts, who sought inspiration in the picturesque landscapes of Kashubia. The initiative to open the gallery gained support from local artists, such as Prof. Włodzimierz Łajming and Prof. Sławoj Ostrowski, as well as from local authorities, including the then-mayor of Kartuzy, Marian Wilkowski, and parish priest Fr. Henryk Ormiński. The inaugural exhibition, featuring the series of paintings "Saint Francis in Kashubia," was the work of Wnukowa. The gallery bridges local Kashubian culture with universal culture, playing a significant educational role by enabling residents to engage with outstanding artists and their works. The venue has become an important landmark on the regional cultural map, hosting exhibitions by renowned creators such as Władysław Hasior and Józef Szajna. The gallery also organizes the annual "Zaduszki Jazzowe" (Jazz All Souls' Day) concerts. The institution's program is shaped by the Program Council in collaboration with the director. Over the years, the gallery has had several directors, including Wioletta Wasilewska and Dr. Zofia Watrak, and is currently managed by Dr. Marcin Plichta. Housed in a unique architectural interior, Refektarz Gallery continues its culture-forming tradition, attracting artists and audiences alike, making it a vital part of the cultural landscape of Pomerania.