Seven days, five dozen events with thirty partners and thousands of visitors – this was the first Prague Art Week, which took place on the occasion of the Czech EU Presidency. Prague Art Week brings together the various actors of the Prague art world throughout the year and provides Prague residents and all art lovers with the opportunity to discover the diverse artistic offer of the city. Here we present a selection of exceptional moments and encounters that took place during the week of 9-15 September 2022 across Prague and in the festival centre, the so-called Superstudio, where PAW welcomed 12 exceptional guests from abroad, as well as Czech professionals from the ranks of artists, gallerists, curators, and art managers. 

Browse through the gallery of moments captured by photographers David Gaberle and Karolína Matušková during the 1st edition of Prague Art Week in 2022.

In collaboration with cultural partners, PAW 22 presented more than 100 artistic events for the general public. More than 30 Prague galleries, art museums, independent art spaces and art collections participated in the festival. For the first time ever, it was possible to see live the unique collection of contemporary art by the Havrlant family, the first in a series of exhibitions called HAC #1. Visitors were able to visit Měšice, home to the Artefin gallery and the ARTEX art depository, which was exclusively open during one festival day. They could also meet gallerists and professionals from Galerie Kodl, Museum Lobkowicz and other leading private galleries such as Kvalitář, Un-titled Art, Stone Projects, Trafo Gallery, The Chemistry Gallery and others. The festival also included art shows such as SUMO Prague, Festival m3 / Art in Space or the Prague Biennial In the Matter of Art. Thanks to PAW 22, guests had the opportunity to take several architecture walks and visit unique objects and buildings occupied by pop-up exhibitions such as the Carbon edition in the Vanguard Prague building or see performances by Luki Essender or Jakub Jahn in the Superstudio. Last but not least, visitors could take part in guided tours on the routes around Prague 1, 3 and 7 or visit the art studios in Studio Prám and Loft BubNY.

The pilot edition of Prague Art Week set the goal of connecting the Prague art scene and making it visible on the world map. This purpose was also served by the Superstudio, where four thematic blocks were held during the week, focusing on professional topics from art practice – art reflection, career in art, collecting and art management. The series of lectures and master classes was intended primarily for insiders from the art world, but it was also open to interested lay people. A total of 15 guests were invited to the Superstudio, including the world-famous photographer of Czech origin living in New York Marie Tomanová with art historian Thomas Beachdel, French art theorist Céline Sabari Poizat, Ukrainian gallerist Maryna Shcherbenko, director of the Carribean Art Foundation Albertine Kopp from Switzerland, Turkish artist Bora Akinciturk and Krištof Kintera. As a result, PAW has established important partnerships abroad, especially in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.