Our Mission
The primary mission of the American Latvian Artists' Association, ALMA, is to promote and maintain an active network of artists and scholars of Latvian heritage and their supporters in North America. ALMA supports the professional development and exhibitions of its members and works to preserve Latvian art. The American Latvian Artists' Association maintains professional contact with the arts community in Latvia and develops working relationships with other international arts organizations.
Current Events // Annual meeting "Saiets 2011" highlights
Click here to see more pictures from "Saiets"...
Reflections on the 2011 American Latvian Artists' Retreat/Annual Conference held September 30 - October 2, 2011 in Elka Park, New York
A massive organic TAIL swept from the pond greeting early Friday arrivals at the annual conference of Latvian Artists in the Catskill Mountains. The tail, constructed of locally foraged natural materials, evolved during the day Friday - a mutual installation by Maruta Auģis, Rita Grenze, Linda Treija and Sarma Muižnieks Liepiņš. During the week-end the partially submerged pond TAIL continued to grow as other artists added their personal touches, compositional elements, even color.
Although TAILS was the 2011 concrete visual theme, the underlying themes of all the ALMA annual conferences continue to be genuine curiosity about recent works by our colleagues, discussions about recent shows, techniques, art reviews, curating decisions, film, literature, multi-media, inspiration, motivation and craft. Even the mandated business meetings of ALMA members on Saturday and Sunday mornings required frequent patient but firm steering back to the core agenda by the newly elected ALMA president Linda Treija. She managed this challenging task of focusing the energy of so many creative minds in one room with sensitivity and flair.
Random creative impulses were also quenched at a centrally located work-space outfitted with colorful abandon by Anna Annus Hagen. Plenty a quirky tail was "Made in the USA" - on site. And plenty an interesting tail was seen in the artworks at the annual show of ALMA member work premiered on Saturday afternoon. Please click here to read more...
- "Reflections" submitted by Sarma Muiznieks Liepins - ALMA 2011-2012 board member
* deceased