EXHIBITION OF GRADUATES FROM “TEXTILES – ART AND DESIGN” 2025

GRADUATION EXHIBITION OF STUDENTS FROM THE “TEXTILES – ART AND DESIGN” PROGRAM, NAA CLASS OF 2025

July 23 – August 30, 2025

Opening: July 23, 2025

The exhibition features works by graduating Bachelor students from the “Textiles – Art and Design” program at the National Academy of Art, showcasing textile art and textile design. The aim of the exhibition is to highlight the connection between traditional textile practices and their reinterpretation in contemporary contexts. The works on display present traditional Bulgarian techniques studied in the program, such as weaving, felting, embroidery, and others, reflecting the faculty’s commitment to preserving the traditions of Bulgarian culture.

The intent of the exhibition is to present the innovative educational processes within the “Textiles – Art and Design” program through the students’ works. Textile studies have been taught since 1898, just two years after the founding of the State School of Drawing in 1896. The specialization “Artistic Design of Textiles” (currently “Textiles – Art and Design”) was officially established as an independent program at the Higher Institute of Fine Arts “Nikola Pavlovich” (renamed the National Academy of Art in 1995) in 1959, by decree of the Ministry of Education and Culture under the Council of Ministers. This marked the beginning of the Bulgarian academic tradition in textile education. The curriculum was developed by Marin Varbanov, and by 1960, the program was already admitting students. The course of study spans five years and includes pedagogical training as part of the curriculum.

The “Textiles – Art and Design” program stands out for its continuity, innovation, and individuality. Its international collaborations with other academies, participation in international exhibitions and forums, and the active creative work of faculty and students contribute to its modern character. The program prepares artists who work in the two main fields of textiles – textile art and textile design. The department’s faculty consists of distinguished artists with long-standing practices and international recognition. Students and their instructors regularly win numerous awards in the fields of contemporary textile art, painting, and drawing, and participate in various exhibitions and professional forums.

The works displayed in the exhibition reflect the diverse creative explorations of these young artists. Some are inspired by poetry, others by a connection with nature, while some turn inward, drawing on personal experiences and emotions in their quest to release negativity. The exhibition marks the culmination of a creative and educational journey and signals the beginning of the professional path of a new generation of artists. Their works reveal the connection between tradition and contemporary art, as well as their personal perspectives on the world through the medium of textiles.