Czech artists donate works to charity auction for Romani scholarships

The morning of 10 June saw the start of the ROMEA organization's first-ever online auction for its Romani Scholarship program, which has been helping Romani students pursue their dreams for more than six years now; the auction features works by contemporary leading artists in the Czech Republic, including the pop-art master Pasta Oner, the sculptor Krištof Kintera, and rapper Vladimir 518. Pieces by them and by many other contemporary artists are up for auction at the aukce.romskastipendia.cz website.

“I am very glad that we have works from such renowned artists. In addition to Pasta Oner and Krištof Kintera, we have great paintings by Michal Škapa, Tomáš Záborec and Xénie Hoffmeisterová," says Štefan Balog, manager of the scholarship program.

"We also have amazing graphics from Martin Salajka and David Bohm in the auction, as well as one very nice photo by Jiří Thýn. I think each piece will find its bidder,” Balog predicts. 

The auction has been in the works since last autumn and the main idea, according to Balog, is to open up the subject of Romani students more widely in society and to show that people here do care about their educations and life trajectories. “Those interested in buying a picture won't just be getting a valuable work of art, but will also be credited for their generosity by these young people, many of whom did not have the same starting line in life as others, but who can pursue their dreams and achieve something thanks to this support," Balog explains. 

"I would like to thank all the artists who joined the auction - as well as those who buy their works,” the scholarship program manager says. The auction will be open online for one month. 

Anybody can join and bid by registering on the website (in Czech only). All proceeds will go to support the ROMEA scholarship program.