Around 80 people gathered at the Galeria at the Orchard Lake Schools on Sunday afternoon to celebrate and honor the artists and the art at the opening reception of the 29th Friends of Polish Art (FPA) Fine Arts Competition. Upon entering the gallery space they were treated to a brilliant variety of colors, media and themes.
The walls of the Galeria were lined with 74 striking art pieces, created by 21 talented Metropolitan Detroit artists representing different generations. The exhibition included oil and acrylic paintings, drawings, watercolors, small sculptures and objects, digital photographs and prints, embroidery, head scarfs and costumes.
Terry Nagle and his Detroit River Plant #1. First Place – FPA Marcia Lewandowski Award
Also on display at the Galeria was a glass case filled with memorabilia from previous FPA competitions, including old programs and photos of the winners, a couple of whom, Len Zabawski and Henry Tyszka, were spotted in the audience.
FPA President Brian Malski opened the event with a brief history of the competition which started in 1985 as the FPA Kubinski Fine Arts Competition. Over the years the competition, which first was intended only for artists of Polish descent, has evolved and now it allows all artists in the community to participate and display their artwork. Nevertheless, many art pieces entered into the competition this year reflected broadly understood Polish themes and cultural values: strong evidence that the organizers achieved their goal of promoting Polish culture and heritage. Also carrying on the competition’s legacy is one of the main awards, given for the “Best Polish Theme”. This year the award, funded by the Polish Institute of Culture & Research, went to Ann Marie Curley, for her evocative oil painting Poletown: Song, Procession, Protest.
Speaking on the behalf of FPA Brian Malski also expressed deep gratitude to the Polish Institute of Culture & Research at Orchard Lake (PICROL) for partnering with FPA in organizing the competition. Without this partnership, the competition, which was dormant for ten years, would have not been possible.
Brain Malski (on the left) and Martin Zane Skalski
Next on the program was a short talk by the competition juror, Martin Zane Skalski, art professor and sculptor. Showing one of his sculptures and using some props, Professor Skalski in a very engaging way described his creative process and took some questions from the audience (including a question about meaning of life!). While answering a question from Grace Leonard, Skalski gave some advice to young artists. The advice could be summarized as follows: do not expect quick results, as it takes a lot of hard work and time to create good art. Skalski also complimented Elijah Majeski, the OLS Galeria manager, and one of the main organizers of the show, for his superb job arranging and hanging the artwork.
Then the time came to announce the winners of the competition. Brian Malski (FPA), together with Alina Klin (FPA), Elijah Majeski (PICROL), Ania Bieciuk (PICROL) and John Radzilowski (PICROL) did the honors. While accepting the awards the delighted artists gave short speeches and then mingled with the guests during the reception.
Ania Bieciuk, PICROL Director of Polonia Affairs, took care of the libations and sumptuous hors d’oeuvres served at the reception. In her closing remarks she invited everybody to upcoming events organized by PICROL.
FPA and PICROL congratulate all the artists whose art is in the show, especially the following award winners:
- Nancy Kozlowski, for Rzepak, 2020, awarded the Best in Show – FPA Richard Kubiński Award ($500.00),
- Ann Marie Curley, for Poletown: Song, Procession, Protest, 2025, awarded the Best Polish Theme – Polish Institute of Culture & Research Award ($400.00),
- Terry Nagle, Detroit River Plant #1, 2024, awarded the First Place – FPA Marcia Lewandowski Award ($400.00),
- Agnieszka Przyborowski, for Poodle (Self-portrait), 2021, awarded the Second Place – FPA Raymond Okonski Award ($300.00),
- Karolina Spiewak, for Sacrifice, 2023, awarded the Third Place – FPA B. John Surma Award ($200.00),
- Grace Leonard, for Polska 6105: Tożsamość w Ruchu, 2025, awarded the FPA Honorable Mention in Memory of Jacqueline Kolowski ($100.00),
- Alexander Clegg, for Election Day, 2024, awarded the FPA Honorable Mention in Memory of Mary Ellen Tyszka ($100.00),
- Kathy Phillips, for Kites, 2022, awarded the FPA Honorable Mention in Memory of Wanda Gongola ($100.00).
The FPA awards commemorate deceased members of FPA, known for their dedicated work for the organization and for Polonia.
Big thanks to all the artists, attendees and the juror Martin Skalski for making the competition and the opening so remarkable.
Exhibiting artists, in alphabetical order: Cassia Armstrong, Alexander Clegg, Ann Marie Curley, Kathleen Doyle, Ania Fink, Gloria Joseph, Nancy Kozlowski, Grace Leonard, Michael McCarthy, David Muzzarelli, Terry Nagle, Charles Pelshaw, Kathy Boltz Phillips, Agnieszka Przyborowski, Mary Rickle, Mel Sledzinski, Ryan Smokovitz, Karolina Spiewak, Carolina Terhaar, Cadar Torrence and Gregory Wahowiak.
The 29th Friends of Polish Art Fine Arts Post-Competition exhibit is on display at the Galeria to November 16. For more information about when the Galeria is open or to schedule a viewing call 248-836-1284 or email Elijah Majeski at emajeski@picrol.org.
Text: Alina Klin
Photos: Alicja Karlic and Alina Klin
