In 2023, NADA director Heather Hubbs visited Warsaw Gallery Weekend and left the city impressed by the local gallery scene, which led to the beginning of the collaboration for the first edition of the event. The initiative also stems from the growing need to create an internationally formatted event dedicated to contemporary art in Poland. Despite the increasing momentum of Warsaw Gallery Weekend, the community still felt the need for a professional platform that would connect Polish galleries with those from abroad, recalls Joanna Witek-Lipka.
What distinguishes NADA Villa Warsaw from the already familiar WGW is the fact that all galleries are brought together in one place, creating a clearly defined space for exchange. This allows audiences to freely explore contemporary art, including works from outside the country.
Last year's edition showed that the public is eager for such events, and that events focused on contemporary art are enjoying steadily growing interest. This broad enthusiasm and attendance even surprised the organizers themselves. There are certainly many factors attracting audiences, one of them undoubtedly being the venue – a historic Neo-Baroque villa from the 1920s on Ujazdowskie Avenue. Already during the first edition, artworks were created specifically for this space, and this year, thanks to a better familiarity with the site, there will be even more spatial works designed for the villa's interiors.
From the beginning, one of the main goals of NADA Villa Warsaw has been to highlight the Central and Eastern European region. However, the organizers are also committed to including galleries from around the world. In addition to galleries from Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and the Baltic states, this year’s edition will also feature galleries from Japan, the United States, and Western Europe.
The strength of the event lies in its immediacy – the presented works are the newest art, created here and now. This marks a significant difference compared to large institutions, where the path from the artist’s studio to the exhibition can be much longer, and exhibitions often focus on already well-established names.
Although the event does not follow one specific narrative thread, recurring themes do appear, showing that the most current art engages in a dialogue with reality. The aim of NADA Villa Warsaw is to offer the public a space for independent experience and reflection through art.
We are currently witnessing a phenomenon – a rapidly growing interest in contemporary art. People not only come to view, but also ask questions. Art begins to act in the way everyone building the art scene hopes for – it provokes thought, becoming a point of reference in uncertain and sometimes difficult times, emphasizes Alicja Myśliwiec, journalist responsible for NADA Villa Warsaw’s communications.
This year’s edition features as many as 50 galleries, of which only 20 are from Poland. This makes the event a unique opportunity for those who want to go beyond the local context and discover art from an international perspective.
This year's program will be even more focused on educational aspects. In addition to a rich schedule of performative events, guided tours are also planned, offering visitors a chance to learn more about the idea behind the initiative and to view selected works together.
Admission to exhibitions and events within NADA Villa Warsaw is free of charge, and all program information is available on the New Art Dealers Alliance website and Instagram.
