Art Patronage - Private Initiative

A hundred years after Nagybánya

During the past 23 years, 121 artists from 15 countries have been enjoying the inspiring and friendly atmosphere of the Nagykőrös Art Camp. The event has been the birthplace of thousands of paintings and many, often life-long, friendships throughout the years.

A hundred years after the opening of the legendary and influential Nagybánya art camp, the Nagykőrös art camp was started in 1996. The aim of the project has been to provide a pleasant atmosphere for carefree artwork, relaxation and friendly talks for the artists. Many of our guests paint plein air around Nagykőrös, and they also draw theme from the nearby houses, local cultural heritage, or the lush garden of the accommodating hostel.

We find artistic freedom very important, we encourage painters and graphicians to get inspired from their surroundings or from each other. This is why we do not have restrictions or requirements regarding the technique, size or topic of the pictures made during the camps.

The ten day long event every summer is a family initiative, we organize it without any financial help from the government or other official organization. The first years it was my wife, Judit and I who carried out the camps. To this day, she is the spirit of the camp, who makes sure our guests can enjoy the flavors of the traditional Hungarian cuisine.

My three children, Janka, Lili and Gyuri have been participating since they were little. As they were growing up, they started to take on bigger roles and now we all carry out the camps together. Janka and Lili are important in management and communication with international guests; Gyuri takes his share of the logistics.

Since the camp started, we have been hosting more and more international guests from the following countries: Armenia, Bulgaria, China, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, Slovenia and Ukraine. The art camp provides a good opportunity to get to know each other's art and culture.

The Nagykőrös art camp provides a peaceful and friendly atmosphere to work, relax or recharge. We welcome our guests with happiness and love, and it is our priority that they enjoy their time with us.

We hope that the artists leave with beautiful memories and that they spread good words about the art camp.

The following group exhibitions have been arranged from works made during the Nagykőrös art camps:

1996. Nagykőrös

2003. Espelkamp (Germany)

2009. Kőszeg (Hungary)

2015. Cegléd (Hungary); and Gallery IX-XI (Budapest)

2016. Szolnok Art Camp Gallery (Hungary)

2017. Répcelak (Hungary)

2018. Ózd (Hungary)