Our Mission
The primary mission of the American Latvian Artists Association, ALMA, is to unify and acquaint with each other artists and scholars of Latvian heritage and their supporters who are living on the American continent. ALMA supports its members' interests and goals and works to preserve Latvian art. It attempts to develop strong ties with the artists' community in Latvia and to interact with other international arts organizations.
Current Events
Annual meeting "SAIETS" Highlights
ALMA members from around the country - Houston, Chicago, Portland - arrived in the Catskills to a thin layer of snow on the red and yellow maples, a crackling fire in the fireplace, a large pot of chili and a warm welcome.
Presentations of work, films, and stories flowed into the night. Members wanted to recommend the lovely new, historical documentary on Marta Skulme to PBS for a showing.
At the business meeting, Liga Silina, director of the Rujiena Museum reported on the development of a relationship of Rujiena with a small city in Japan. Lelde Kalmite reported on the work of PLMS, and discussions of ALMA mission and updates on activities here and in Latvia followed. Lilita Bergs gave un update on the progress of the LaPa Museum.
The rich cultural program featured a film on Juris Ubans done by the Southern University of Maine. Then followed a presentations of the glowing paintings of Zoya Frolova and works with a large range of materials from silicon to bone and amber by Janis Jakobsons.
At the evening "Fancy Hat Party". Members in silver masks danced Greek dances led by Vija Vetra, listened to songs in Latvian, Estonian and Japanese and the party was topped off with a performance of the Argentinian tango.
It was a warm, spirited gathering and members look forward to a productive year of exhibitions, performances and other activities.
Please check our website often, and send in your news, so we can all share them.
Next year's meeting is to be held on October 1, 2, 3 in 2010.
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