AquaArt exhibition brings together the sea, art and youth

AquaArt is the result of an educational program by the Standard Association for Support in Quality Promotion, which throughout the year provided young people and children with the opportunity to explore the world of the sea, creativity, and ecological awareness through watercolor, ceramics, underwater photography, and media production workshops. The project aimed to encourage participants to understand the importance of environmental preservation through art while developing their own artistic expression. 

The organizers thanked all participants who, as they emphasized, explored the beauty of the sea and nature with great effort, imagination, and enthusiasm. Special recognition was given to mentors and artists Ernest Markota, Jurica Gašpar, Sandra Mlađanović, and Valentin Zeljka, whose work and dedication to young people were recognized as the foundation of the program’s success. Thanks were also extended to the project partners – the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sport, HT Eronet, the Neum Tourist Board, as well as collaborators and volunteers from the Standard Association, who continuously contribute to the cultural life of the community. 

The works of young artists were evaluated by a professional jury composed of Viktorija Rajič, Program Manager of the Neum Underwater Film Festival; Veronika Stanković, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts; Professor Dr. Svetislav Cvetković, Dean of the Academy of Fine Arts; and Professor Igor Brkić, an academic sculptor from Koprivnica. In several categories, awards were given to highlight the creativity and innovation of the participants. 

The AquaArt award for the best watercolor, work number 16, was presented by Nikola Prkačin, Director of the Neum Tourist Board, while the award for the best clay work, number 4, was given by Ivo Mikulić, President of the Standard Association Assembly. The Laguna Neum restaurant sponsored the award for the best photograph – photograph number 7 – and the Audience Award, provided by HT Eronet, was presented by AquaArt Project Manager Julijana Mikulić Jurković for work number 23. HT Eronet awarded the winning author a tablet, a symbolic confirmation of support for young people and their creativity. 

The ceremony was enriched by a performance by musician Vinko Ćemeraš, whose music created an atmosphere of peace, unity, and inspiration. Ćemeraš emphasized that initiatives like AquaArt demonstrate how the project can have global significance, and how culture and young people can connect the community toward a shared goal – the development and preservation of values. 

Project Manager Julijana Mikulić Jurković highlighted that AquaArt showed how talented young people are and how much they love the sea around them. “The AquaArt project has shown that workshops and exhibitions provide an opportunity to learn, through art and community, how to protect what we have – the sea, rivers, nature, and our community. I am proud of all the participants, mentors, and partners who believe in AquaArt and related projects. This region will become known for young people who create, explore, and think sustainably – this is our reality and our future,” Mikulić Jurković stated. 

The AquaArt exhibition once again proved that art is a bridge between nature, youth, and the community. Through the combination of colors, movement, and the sea, this project promotes ecology, creativity, and environmental responsibility through culture and sustainable tourism. The Standard Association thanked all partners and visitors who recognized the importance of investing in youth and art and called on the public to continue supporting initiatives that enrich the cultural life of Neum and the entire region.