Artist A. Žmuidzinavičius – a pedagogue at Kaunas Art School. 1926–1940

Soon after the re-establishment of the Lithuanian Art Society in 1918, the idea of founding the Academy of Fine Arts in Vilnius with the painter Antanas Žmuidzinavičius as its head was put forward. However, due to Vilnius’ occupation by Poland, the plan failed to be realized. As a matter of fact, Kaunas became the provisional capital of Lithuania and the Higher Drawing Courses began operating there in 1920, but on the initiative of the artist Justinas Vienožinskis they were reorganized into the Art School in 1922.

In 2022, this educational institution which had laid the most significant foundation for the national art, educated the most prominent personalities of the 20th-century Lithuanian art, and was the main centre of training artists and art teachers in interwar Lithuania is celebrating its 100th anniversary. A. Žmuidzinavičius was one of the most progressive teachers at the Kaunas Art School, he taught drawing, watercolour and oil painting from 1926 until 1940. This virtual tour aims to reveal the artist’s links with the school – his pedagogical endeavour, relations with students and colleagues, acquaints with exhibits housed at the A. Žmuidzinavičius Creations and Collections Museum in Kaunas.

As soon as Žmuidzinavičius started working as a pedagouge, he became involved in the activity of the Teachers’ Council which dealt a variety of issues. Meetings were held to discuss the admission of pupils, an educational process, and a content of the curriculum. The artist did not avoid having his say, he shared his insights and suggestions on how to improve the school’s work, and participated with other teachers in the assessment of pupils’ achievements.
During the inter-war period, the school did not escape disturbances caused by the staff, structural and status changes. A. Žmuidzinavičius and other teachers had to leave the school. A new reform was drawn up by the Ministry of Education, stating that the curriculum, the examination procedure and the method of assessing pupils were to be determined by the Minister of Education. However, quite soon most teachers and pupils returned back.

In 1938, the commission of pedagogues drafted a new statute along with a study programme that required the School of Art to become a higher educational institution. As a result, in 1940 the Kaunas Art School was reorganized into the Kaunas School of Applied Arts. It was a common decision to consider drawing as the main discipline for learning about nature and studying art. 4 hours per week were devoted to watercolour, drawing, perspective, ornamentation, art history and graphic art. A. Žmuidzinavičius taught both general and special disciplines, he educated a great many of future artists, among them J. Buračas, V. Šleivytė, R. Kalpokas, L. Vainekytė, V. Palaima, L. Katinas, M. Katiliūtė, J. Kėdainis, P. Gudynas, V. Mackevičius, A. Kučas, B. Mingilaitė, E. Survila, B. Valantinaitė, A. Peldavičiūtė, P. Steponavičius, V. Vaitiekūnas, G. Kindurytė, E. Pazukienė, J. Aleknavičius, P. Tarabilda, V. Petrulis, K. Buivydas, R. Matuzonytė, L. Šlapelienė, J. Vainauskas, A. Sirutytė and others.

This is what A. Žmuidzinavičius wrote in his memoirs about his career at the Kaunas Art School: "I was full of strength and determination to do something good for my country, I never declined from any duties. I participated wherever I thought I could be useful. [...]. For me, as an educator, working with young people at school was a great pleasure”. A. Žmuidzinavičius has worked at the Kaunas School of Art for 14 years, staying out of scandals, instead, firmly expressing his opinion, tirelessly educating the younger generation and always remaining an active artist.

Prepared by Daina Zozaitė