After a very successful “soft opening” of Galeria last March (with a fashion show “Blooms of Tradition”), on Saturday, October 19, the Polish Institute of Culture and Research (PICR) at Orchard Lake organized yet another very enjoyable and accomplished opening. This time with a masterful concert by the world-renowned Polish pianist Kamil Pacholec, an art show, and an afterglow reception.
As we read in the official press release, this event was “the first in a series of programs that will honor the Galeria’s reopening, after a decade of renovation and planning, which will culminate with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Spring 2025.”
Kamil Pacholec’s excellent, thoughtful and passionate renditions of pieces by Paderewski and Chopin captivated the Galeria’s audience and will be remembered by them for a long time.
Despite his young age, the 25-year-old artist has a long list of accomplishments to his credit, among them many first and second prizes won at different international piano competitions, and a very impressive “honorable mention” received at the 18th International Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2021.
Before the concert, when asked about the piano, which was just purchased by PICR, and was also introduced last Saturday, Kamil Pacholec praised not only the instrument, but also the venue.
The art show which provided a beautiful background for his performance is entitled “Sacred Images, Holy Spaces: Art and Faith in Poland and Italy”, and was curated by Dr. John Radziłowski, PICR Director, and designed by Elijah Majeski, Galeria Manager.
From home altars, through paintings, photos and sculptures, the exhibit shows a variety of religious images, some of them created by famous artists such as Jacek Malczewski, Zofia Stryjeńska or Nikifor, and some of unknown origin. Among the latter, an intriguing “hanging shadowbox altar” from the beginning of the twentieth century, or an over a hundred-year-old painting of Our Lady of Częstochowa, an interpretation of the original painting known as the Black Madonna of Częstochowa. All of the displayed art comes from the PICR’s own collection and will be shown at the Galeria until January 7, 2025.
A comprehensive written guide to the show, in Polish and in English, was available to visitors, but a few lucky guests who on Saturday arrived an hour before the concert, were able to enjoy a personal and very informative tour of the exhibition given by Dr. Radzilowski who also hosted the event. The event co-host was Anna Bieciuk, PICR Associate Director for Polonia Affairs, who introduced the pianist (and the piano!) and was in charge, among other things, of the splendid reception.
On Sunday, October 20 at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy, Kamil Pacholec gave another breathtaking performance during “Chopiniana”. The concerts were a rare opportunity to listen to a Polish artist of such caliber.
Photos: Alina Klin
