In this section of the exhibition, visitors were invited to share their thoughts on the collection and how it was presented, and to ask questions, which the curatorial team answered successively.

What is curating?

Curating is the art and practice of creating exhibitions. A curator is someone who selects works of art, establishes meaningful connections between them, gives the exhibition a narrative, and ensures that viewers not only see the works but also experience and understand them.

The word derives from the Latin cura—meaning care or guardianship. A curator cares for the artworks, the artists, and the audience. Their task is to build connections: between the language of art and the language of everyday life, and between the artist’s intention and the viewer’s experience.

In the case of the UAPoteka exhibition, this is a student project by students majoring in curatorial studies and art theory at the Faculty of Art Education and Curatorial Studies at the University of Arts in Poznań (UAP). As part of their coursework, they collaboratively selected works from the collection, wrote texts, arranged the space, and developed an accompanying program.

This experience demonstrated that curating is not just about selecting works—it also involves many conversations, doubts, trials, and reflections.

How long does it take to put together an exhibition like this?

It took a team of 20 people about 3 months to prepare the exhibition.

Where can you see the collection outside of an exhibition?

The collection does not have a permanent display. Most of the works are stored in warehouses and made available for viewing during subsequent exhibitions.

However, you can explore the collection:

• on the website kolekcjauap.pl, where a selection of works is presented,
• during other exhibitions organized by the University—where the collection is displayed in various configurations.

The University is currently carrying out a project to build exhibition storage facilities. Works from the collection will be available for viewing there as part of study visits.

What is the oldest painting in the collection?

Contrary to what one might think, the answer to this question is not easy at all! The UAP collection holds a few surprises.

Among the works whose authorship is established, the oldest are the watercolors by Stanisław Teisseyre from the 1930s. It was this collection of works by him and his friends that was bequeathed to the University in 1988.

However, Teisseyre’s bequest includes several portraits of unknown authorship, which are likely from the 18th century. Their exact provenance and dating remain undetermined.

This brings us to the crux of the matter. A precise answer to this question requires further investigation. Research into the collections is ongoing, and any new discovery could change the final answer.

Why is the collection on display here?

It’s no coincidence. The Śluza Gallery is a space for temporary exhibitions that tells the story of contemporary Poznań and how the past has shaped it. Its themes center on three pillars: the city, its people, and the environment.

The University of Arts fits into each of these pillars: the art university in Poznań has been operating continuously since 1919, and its history is intertwined with that of the city itself—during the interwar years, Poznań’s “Zdobnicza” was the most important institution in the country for training artists and designers.

The UAP collection is therefore part of Poznań’s heritage. The Śluza Gallery is located in the historic building of the former Cathedral Lock and is connected to the Poznań Gate building. This unique, historic site struck us as the perfect space to tell the story of a collection that—much like the building itself—is a testament to the passage of time and human creativity.

The connection between the Śluza Gallery and the UAP is also significant: previously, exhibitions organized by both UAP faculty members and students majoring in curatorial studies and art theory at the UAP were presented here.

Is the university open to senior citizens?

Of course— in several ways!

The most important program aimed directly at seniors is the University of the Arts for the Third Age (UATW)—run for many years by the Faculty of Art Education and Curatorship at the UAP. Classes at UATW focus on creative learning, activity, independence, and collaboration.

Second, for those who want to try their hand at art without a long-term commitment, the UAP offers workshops dedicated to people aged 50 and older. These include workshops in abstract painting, linocut, collage, and ink painting.

Third, the Higher Education Act imposes no age restrictions. Regardless of age, anyone can apply for admission to a degree program.

Are students involved in the conservation work carried out on the collections (as part of their practical coursework)? What does the day-to-day care of the collection entail?

Prof. Monika Korona, Ph.D., is responsible for the conservation of the collections. Day-to-day care of the collection involves, among other things, conducting inspections of the works, drafting guidelines and opinions regarding the storage and protection of the collections, and, when necessary, performing conservation treatments. The students with whom Professor Korona teaches are involved in carrying out certain conservation tasks.