The Art Gallery Romas dārzs & Museum of Dolls Art and Design
The Art Gallery Romas dārzs
The Art Gallery “Romas dārzs” (the Roman garden) is located at the very centre of Liepāja, on the ground floor and in the basement of the Art Hotel ROMA, designed by the architect M.P.Bertschy. The gallery establishes a collection of valuable Liepāja art items, where everyone can personally meet the beautiful art of the outstanding Liepāja artists of the 20th century, and have a good look at the artworks of other artists and their creative diversity in the gallery's temporary exhibitions. The exhibition “Liepāja – Time – Artist” is the only collection of local artist works on permanent display that is available to visitors and town guests in Liepāja with more than 150 artworks, including paintings, watercolours and graphic art. The exhibition offers a variety of artworks by Valters Uzticis, Jānis Sudmalis, Artūrs Baumanis, Augusts Annuss, Jānis Gailis, Egils Radziņš, Valdis Mackars and others.
Museum of dolls art and design
Childhood memories have a place in every adult’s heart, and our old toys often remind us of them. The Museum of Doll Art and Design offers an interesting and fascinating journey back to childhood.
It features a collection of 19th-21st century puppets, toys and household items that reflect the childhood heritage of the Latvian people and respectfully preserve the memories of our parents and grandparents. The collection of Džemma Skulme’s childhood drawings and Oto Skulme’s theatre sketches is very special.
The historical exhibition “Suitcase Home Trip”, which has travelled around Latvia and several European cities as a travelling museum for several years, is acknowledged by museum colleagues as a valuable exhibit, which, in terms of content, is equal to many puppetry museums in Europe.
The unusual exhibition is set in old-style suitcases, each with a story about the history of dolls and toys from that particular period. There are porcelain, elegant boudoir and composition dolls made in Germany, America, France, and Russia in the early 19th century. The 3D postcards reflect the unique design and reveal the sophisticated communication style of the past. The collection of doll dishes has experienced more than one playtime for girls, by setting the festive table and learning good manners. In the museum’s cosily furnished kitchen, 20th century rag dolls are gathered for a cup of tea, and various household items and toys are also displayed. The dolls in Latvian folk costumes, which were sewn while in exile, longing for homeland..., as well as the famous Soviet-era dolls Baiba and Aina, are very special.
The collection of 19th and 20th century Teddy bears is touching, with their designs and the stories of their creators and owners. The exhibition of boys’ games and toys is also educational.
Meanwhile, our parents’ and grandparents’ memories go back to the familiar 20th century dolls and toys made of celluloid, plastic, rubber and polythene.
The Museum of dolls art and design has several exhibition spaces, where different exhibitions dedicated to contemporary art and design are displayed – presenting a wide range of original works by 21st century professional artists, as well as works by professional puppeteers.
The “Art Cave”, Liepāja's smallest exhibition hall, hosts solo exhibitions of artists’ one-of-a-kind works.
The exhibition was designed by artist-designer Ināra Liepa and Uldis Liepa, who have been collecting and assembling the museum’s collection of exhibits for 30 years.
This is the only museum in Latvia where you can get to know puppetry art from the classics to the avant-garde!
In addition to the expositions, the gallery “Romas dārzs” provides the following service and expertise:
- Organisation of exhibitions;
- Purchase and consignment of artworks of old masters and contemporary artists;
- Rent and sale of the artworks of Latvian old masters and contemporary artists;
- Consulting on the choice of original, individual, or business gifts from items in the gallery collection.
Tickets – 5,00 €
Family ticket – 10,00 €
Children, students, pensioner – 2,00 €
Private excursion (40min) with gallerie guide – 60,00 € ( max 20 pax) + ticket price
Opening hours:
Mon. Closed
Tu..-S. 12:00-18:00
Su. 12:00 – 15:00
The Art Gallery "Romas dārzs”
3 Zivju Street 3, LV-3401, Liepāja, Latvia
Tel.: +371 29489547
E-mail: info@galerijaromasdarzs.lv
