At Artists Runway, visitors will be able not only to view art, but also to get closer to it

From 16 to 18 October, the pop-up art exhibition Artists Runway will take place for the third time alongside the international exhibition Riga Furniture & Interior at Ķīpsala. This year, it will bring together 50 Latvian artists and showcase at least 200 works of art. Visitors will also be able to experience a new way of engaging with art through NFC technology: simply bringing a phone close to a painting will instantly reveal information about its creator.

Artists Runway was first held in 2024, bringing together 24 artists and exhibiting more than 100 works. The second edition featured 44 artists and gave visitors the opportunity to discover 200 works of art. The exhibition space has also grown: this year, the Artists Runway pop-up gallery will cover approximately 400 square metres, twice the size of its inaugural edition.

“In the first year, we started with artists from our own network who believed in the idea and were willing to get involved. Trust in the project has grown every year, and now there are artists returning for the third time. This shows us that there is a real need for a platform like this,” says Ildze Ose, organiser and creator of the Artists Runway concept.

Art beyond the traditional gallery setting
Artists Runway was created to promote the work of Latvian artists, take it beyond gallery walls and bring it closer to audiences, while giving artists the opportunity to reach a wider public. I. Ose has participated in several art exhibitions in Latvia and abroad, and this experience was one of the inspirations behind the creation of the Artists Runway pop-up exhibition.

“Latvia has many talented and interesting professional artists, but reaching a wider audience is not always easy for them. I know from personal experience that it can be challenging. That is why I am motivated to help other Latvian artists gain visibility while challenging myself to create an increasingly compelling exhibition,” says I. Ose.

Artists Runway takes place alongside the international exhibition Riga Furniture & Interior, which attracts more than 16,000 visitors every year. This gives artists the opportunity to present their work to audiences they might not otherwise encounter in a traditional art gallery.

“People do not visit art galleries that often in their everyday lives, so this is an opportunity to experience art up close — especially at a time when they are already thinking about their homes and exploring furniture and interior design solutions at the exhibition,” says I. Ose.

The decision to hold the exhibition at Riga Furniture & Interior is no coincidence. The organisers want to demonstrate that art is not limited to galleries and museums, but can also become a natural part of everyday life and the home.

“We want people to understand that art is not something distant or intended only for a small circle of enthusiasts. A painting can be an important part of our lives and our homes,” emphasises architect and Artists Runway co-creator Andis Alksniņš.

During the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity not only to discover works by Latvian artists but also to purchase them.

A completely new exhibition space every year
One of the defining features of Artists Runway is its specially designed scenography, which is created from scratch every year. This year, A. Alksniņš is developing a new spatial concept, moving away from the conventional gallery format of displaying artworks on white walls.

“The design changes every year to surprise both artists and visitors. The distinctive scenography is one of the most important features of Artists Runway,” emphasises A. Alksniņš.

This year, the number three will be the exhibition’s central theme, symbolically marking the third edition of Artists Runway. The concept will be expressed through triangular geometry, striking angles and a variety of three-dimensional elements. The exhibition will have two entrances, creating a circular visitor route through the entire display.

“We do not use standard solutions — we want people to feel as though they have stepped into a completely different environment when they enter our exhibition. The exhibition curator, Uldis Jaunzems-Pētersons, has paid particular attention to how visitors’ gaze and attention are guided through the space,” adds I. Ose.

Lighting will play a particularly important role. Its purpose is not simply to illuminate the space, but to highlight the artworks and guide visitors’ attention throughout the exhibition.

“Dark walls and lighting bring the paintings into focus, while everything else becomes a backdrop. The artworks interact with one another, with people and with their surroundings,” explains A. Alksniņš.

New technological possibilities
This year, Artists Runway is partnering with the international artist support platform Follow.Art to enhance the exhibition experience with NFC technology.

In a dedicated exhibition area called Pietuvini mākslu (Get Closer to Art), NFC tags will be placed next to selected artworks. Visitors will be able to bring their smartphones close to the tags and instantly access the artist’s digital profile, where they can explore their biography, creative practice and portfolio, find contact information and directly support the artist financially.

This technology will allow visitors to continue engaging with artists beyond the exhibition space, creating a more direct connection between artists and their audiences.

“Our goal is to help artists become more visible and build direct connections with people who are moved by their work. Artists Runway creates another opportunity for artists and the public to connect beyond the traditional gallery setting, which is why this collaboration felt like a natural fit. Technology allows us to extend that connection beyond the exhibition — giving people the opportunity to discover an artist, follow their work and, if they wish, support them directly,” says Diāna Novicka, director of Follow.Art.

Artists Runway: dates and venue

Opening hours:
16 and 17 October — 10:00–18:00
18 October — 10:00–17:00

Venue: International Exhibition Centre Ķīpsala, 8 Ķīpsalas Street, Riga, Latvia.

More information: artistsrunway.com