GRADIŠKA HOSTS THE FIRST “ART CAMP”

The city of Gradiška has become the host of the first-ever four-day “Art Camp,” a unique eco-art event that gathered young painters from across the region during the weekend. Through artistic expression, socializing, and environmental awareness, the camp aims to highlight the importance of culture, ecology, and community spirit.

PHOTO: Milan Vujić

The main focus of the camp is the celebration of the International Sava River Day, with organizers preparing a rich and diverse program for both established artists and the youngest participants.

Camp organizer Boban Ilinčić emphasized that the primary goal of the project is the promotion of tourism, ecology, culture, and art, while also creating new and meaningful content for the city.

“Nine young painters are participating in the camp. Their task is to portray recognizable motifs of Gradiška, the beauty of the Sava River, and important cultural landmarks of our city on their canvases,” said Ilinčić, as reported by Glas Srpske.

Among the participants was academic painter Sigrid Stanić from Banja Luka, who expressed great enthusiasm for both the concept and the location of the event.

“This is my first time participating in the ‘Art Camp,’ and I am truly delighted to be part of this story. The atmosphere by the Sava River is extremely inspiring for every artist,” Stanić said.

The broader social significance of the camp was highlighted by Aleksandar Ivaštanin, president of the Nautical Club Gradiška. He explained that all artworks created during the camp will be presented to the public as part of a special exhibition.

The sales exhibition will be held in the city park on the International Sava River Day, and all funds raised from the sale of paintings will be directed toward the improvement and beautification of the Sava River shoreline.

In addition to working with adult artists, the organizers dedicated special attention to the youngest residents of Gradiška. Through specially designed creative workshops, elementary school students from first to fifth grade had the opportunity to develop their imagination, explore the world of visual arts, and most importantly, learn more about the importance of environmental protection.

The event was also supported by the Mayor of Gradiška, Zoran Adžić, who emphasized that the city remains strongly committed to supporting young artists and creators.

“This is the first eco-art camp in our city, and we want young artists to come here, showcase their remarkable talent, capture the details of our beautiful environment along the Sava River, and pass on their knowledge and artistic techniques to our youngest citizens. The City of Gradiška continuously supports overall economic and social development, but we also support what represents the true soul of a city — and that is certainly art,” Adžić stated

The organizer of this cultural and environmental event is the Nautical Club Gradiška, with the strong support of the Sports Fishing Association “Amur” and the City Administration of Gradiška.