We swapped the dOUpě lounge for an atelier and coffee cups for paintbrushes. The Art & Discussion event invited students to explore their creativity in the inspiring surroundings at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music.

Our participants, including both local and international students, picked up brushes, pencils, glue sticks, and colored washi tapes to create their own works. Some attendees painted abstract visions, others sketched detailed portraits, and many dived into the world of collage, piecing together images and textures to create something new entirely. But the opportunity didn’t end when the paint dried. Students were also given the chance to enroll their finished pieces in the upcoming NEOLAiA Art Exhibition.

The group quickly shed their initial hesitations and embraced the freedom to create, connecting not only through words during the discussion, but also through the universal language of art. As a thank you, each guest received a complimentary gift bag filled with university merchandise and other goodies as a small token to remember the afternoon by. From informal chats over coffee to expressive sessions in an art studio, each event strengthens our community and opens new doors.

You too can join the NEOLAiA Art Exhibition by creating a piece on the topic ‘My studies – My city – My university’ and uploading it through this link. Not only might your artwork be seen in all eight of our partner universities, but you also have the chance to win prizes of high value – from headphones and speakers to a Polaroid camera. You don’t need to be a professional artist to enroll, just passionate enough to try!

Did you miss this one? Don’t worry and stay tuned for the next NEOLAiA event! Who knows what form it will take? One thing is for sure: it will be another unique opportunity to connect, create, and explore the possibilities within our European alliance.

Follow the University of Ostrava and NEOLAiA Instagram so you can join our NEOLAiA Student Network and become part of something bigger!