“A small stream often grows into a great river” – with these very words, Osmo Haapasalo, the initiator of the Pärnu Art Summer idea and one of the leading figures behind the Art Centre, introduced the 1995 Art Summer catalogue, expressing hope that Art Summer would become a long-standing and continuous tradition with a place in the art life of both Pärnu and Estonia as a whole.

Although the very first Art Summer was already a large and impressive overview exhibition, showcasing the newest works by Estonia’s leading contemporary artists, the festival has continued to evolve over the decades. It has grown broader and more international, offering perspectives on both the local and wider art scenes. Various curators have experimented with different formats, yet Art Summer itself has remained steadfast—becoming as essential to summer in Pärnu as the sea and the sun.

The founding idea of Art Summer was to establish a broader and more immediate connection between art and the public and to bring the tradition of art overview exhibitions beyond Tallinn and Tartu. The year 1995 can be seen as a pivotal moment in Pärnu’s art scene—alongside the birth of Art Summer, the Pärnu City Gallery was also established.

Fitting for such a landmark occasion, this summer’s exhibitions carry a celebratory tone, taking us back to the 1990s. The main exhibition of the Art Summer festival, “CRAZY 1990s!”, is a revised version of the very first Art Summer show, bringing together—with some modifications—many of the same artists who participated in the 1995 Pärnu Art Summer. On display are both original works shown at that inaugural exhibition, as well as other pieces from the same artists created between 1990 and 1998.

As thirty years have passed, many of the paintings, sculptures, and graphic works originally exhibited have since made their way into private collections around the world, making them impossible to retrieve. Therefore, the approach to recreating the exhibition has focused not so much on the individual works, but on the artists and the period they represent.

The original 1995 exhibition was curated by Sirje Eelma and Rait Prääts; the adapted new version has been assembled by Marian Grau and Jan Leo Grau.

Participating artists: Sirje Eelma, Rait Prääts, Mare Mikoff, Mall Nukke, Urmas Viik, Vive Tolli, Mare Vint, Andres Tolts, Toomas Vint, Jüri Kask, Jaak Soans, Jüri Arrak, Jüri Ojaver, Terje Ojaver, Tiiu Kirsipuu, Hille Palm,  Andres Tali, Naima Neidre, Kadi Kurema, Avo Keerend, Peeter Pere, Eve Kask, Vano Allsalu, Rein Kelpman, Valeri Vinogradov, Vergo Vernik, Maie Helm, Ekke Väli, Evi Tihemets, Silvi Liiva, Marje Üksine, Lemming Nagel, Rene Kari, Anu Kalm, Illimar Paul, Simson von Seakyl, Reti Saks, Bruno Sõmeri, Paul Allik, Rait Pärg jt

Exhibition is supported by Estonian Cultural Endowment and Pärnu City Government.

Pärnu City Gallery is open Tue-Sat 11:00-18:00 (closed on public holidays). Entrance is free.

Pärnu City Gallery’s Artists’ House (Nikolai 27, Pärnu)

Pärnu City Gallery in the Town Hall (Uus tn 4, Pärnu)