From October 3 to November 29, 2024, Franciska Anna Beļāne participated in a “CreArt” residency in the city of Clermont-Ferrand, France. During the residency, she had the opportunity to work on her project at the residency house “Chalet Lecoq”.
This was the artist’s first residency experience, which allowed her to understand what it means to wake up every morning, go to the studio, work, and dedicate all her time to what she truly wants to create.
“It was a wonderful opportunity — one that I might not be able to realize in Latvia, where there are various distractions and responsibilities. In a different environment, those fall away, and you can devote all your time to what you want to do. For me, it was both interesting and challenging — to observe myself, how I behave, what my practice looks like, what I develop on my own, and what it means for me to be an artist when I can dedicate all of my time to art,” Franciska shares.
During the residency, the artist created a plaster installation titled “I lent my words to someone and now I can’t remember who”, which was partially made on site in France and completed upon her return to Latvia. The installation consisted of several objects:
Franciska encourages artists from Liepāja to apply for upcoming residencies. Stay updated on “CreArt” open calls via the “Participation – Open Calls” section of the Liepāja 2027 website!
On 11 April, Liepāja 2027 will take to the stage at Tallinn Music Week 2026’s City Stage to present the concept of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027: (un)rest.
With this open call for artists to participate in the exhibition and symposium, the association “ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education” launches the project “ElektrON – The Future of Amber”, interpreting the heritage of amber—along with the future potential of other fossil materials—through a symbiosis of art and science, within the programme “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027”. Applications to participate in the project can be submitted by 23:59 on 19 April.
On July2, experimental music festival Skaņu Mežs will hold an exclusive mini-edition in the city of Liepāja, featuring musical acts and sound artists from Latvia, Japan, Norway, United Kingdom, Sweden and Germany.