The Artistic Touch of a Master

One might wonder if creativity can be combined with administrative duties. It turns out it can! Provided, of course, that the administrative position is directly related to the creative process. For example, the position of a museum director. Today's story is about the Director of the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir Ivanovich Prakapstov. He began his adult working life in the Lepel region. Back in the mid-1970s, he was appointed Secretary of the District Komsomol Committee, primarily dealing with cultural matters. And who else but him – a recent graduate of the Art and Graphics Department of the Vitebsk Pedagogical Institute – was to handle these issues?

Vladimir Ivanovich's very first professional steps were taken in the Lepel region. Today, few residents of Lepel can recall the young Secretary of the District Komsomol Committee, his efforts to organize cultural events and leisure activities. And, to be honest, the young, promising individual did not stay in the district for long; he was noticed, promoted, and thus Vladimir Ivanovich found himself in Minsk.
In the Council of Ministers, Vladimir Prakapstov dealt with the same issues he started his career with – cultural matters. However, he did not abandon his first passion – art. He painted pictures on various themes, achieved recognition, and the master's works are held in many famous collections. Vladimir Prakapstov himself has been awarded the honorary title of Honorary Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, holds a Candidate of Art History degree, and is a laureate of the Special Prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus in the field of museology (as part of a team). In addition, he has been awarded the Medal of Francysk Skaryna, the Russian Order of Friendship, the Medal of Alexander Pushkin, and orders of the Orthodox Church.

For several years now, Vladimir Ivanovich has held the responsible position of Director of the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus. During this time, a number of projects of both national and international scale have been implemented. One of the latest was an exhibition of treasures from the collections of English monarchs of the 17th-18th centuries.

Vladimir Prakapstov maintains ties with the Lepel region. The district local history museum organizes joint projects. You understand, the scale of a district museum often does not allow for undertaking large, serious tasks, such as showcasing works by famous artists or sculptors, or top-tier stars. Vladimir Ivanovich, with his authority, helps us to implement numerous projects that we would not have been able to accomplish on our own.

The latest joint project was an exhibition in Lepel featuring works by the renowned Belarusian artist Ivan Khrutsky, presented by the National Art Museum. Many, unfortunately, had not even heard his name, yet he is one of the greatest painters of the Fatherland. There were quite a few excursions from schools. Naturally, the children heard about such an artist for the first time, although they saw his famous portraits and still lifes with their own eyes – and that is good.

Thanks to the efforts of Vladimir Ivanovich, exhibitions of Lepel artists were held in Minsk and other cities of the republic. Masters from the House of Crafts exhibited their works at the branch of the National Art Museum in Raubichi. Of course, Lepel masters and their works are known far beyond Lepel, but the exhibition space of the National Art Museum of the republic is the highest level.

The implementation of several projects is timed to coincide with the city festival. Firstly, on September 8, the opening of an exhibition of paintings by the famous Belarusian artist of the first half of the 20th century, Vitold Byalynitsky-Birulya, will take place. For many, the work of this painter will be a discovery. At the same time, we will have a presentation of a book about Byalynitsky-Birulya, published by "Belarus" in the series "Famous Belarusian Artists". The author is Anna Trusevich.

In addition, a project that is not entirely usual for Lepel is being implemented – an exhibition of a single painting. The author is Vladimir Prokopsov. Vladimir Ivanovich has not abandoned his brush and paints despite his administrative work. The painting "Morning of Young May" began to be painted in 1997 during a plein air session at Byalynitsky-Birulya's dacha and is dedicated to the master. The work lasted ten years, and was changed more than once. In any case, I recommend getting acquainted with high art and finding free time to visit the museum.

Vasily MATIRKA