The new museum, almost a decade in the making, will house the artworks of both the old masters as well as those of new generations of artists from the Latvian diaspora residing outside the homeland.
Lelde Kalmīte, chair of the Global Society for Latvian Art praised the Cēsis local government for "finding an ideal homespace” for the more than 350 various artworks collected over the past three years. The bright and modern gallery occupies the former gym of the Cēsis Vocational High School, which has been totally transformed for its new purpose. A second adjacent gallery is also under consideration in the coming years.
"Here on view are the latest paintings sent from America and the finest masterpieces we have,” said Kalmīte, adding that many other works still remain in repository.
The Society’s leadership hopes Cēsis will become a center for the enjoyment and study of Latvian art retaining a uniquely Latvian character even amongst artists living abroad.
