For their contribution to culture, the 2025 "Pro Arte" laureates received their awards.

Tomasz Lazar, Piotr Pauk, Longina Malinowski, and Janusz Janiszewski are the winners of the 14th edition of the Marshal's "Pro Arte" Award. This distinction is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the culture of Western Pomerania. The gala took place at the Castle Opera in Szczecin. To date, 52 distinguished representatives of the creative and cultural communities have received Pro Arte Awards in all editions of the competition.

The "Pro Arte" Awards for outstanding achievements in the field of artistic creation, dissemination and protection of culture in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship have been awarded since 2012. The winners are selected by a competition jury composed of representatives of the West Pomeranian Regional Assembly, the Department of Culture and National Heritage of the Marshal's Office, and representatives of the Szczecin media.

ADVERTISEMENT

The winners received statuettes designed by Andrzej Litwa, depicting the outline of a human figure climbing on tiptoe – a symbol of the creative act, inspiration, and lightness – as well as diplomas and financial awards of PLN 20,000. The winners of the 14th edition of the "Pro Arte" Awards competition: Tomasz Lazar – photographer, freelancer, and lecturer. Winner of the prestigious World Press Photo award and the Grand Prix of the Fotofestiwal in Łódź (2012), as well as Picture of the Year International 2024. Most of Lazar's photographs straddle the border of documentary and photojournalism. He received the "Pro Arte" Award for his creative activity and individuality, his passion for and development of photography in Western Pomerania, and his outstanding artistic achievements in the field of photography in Poland and internationally. Piotr Pauk – a leading representative of Polish street art, muralist, curator, and cultural animator. For over 25 years, he has been actively shaping the artistic landscape of Szczecin and the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. He received the "Pro Arte" Award for his unique artistic and design achievements in the field of street art and for his creative and unconventional approach to building and promoting the image of Western Pomerania. He was recognized for his courage to express himself and for works that comment on breakthrough experiences. Longina Malinowski is a painter, costume designer, and educator, and president of the Stacja Kultura Association and the Young Artist Atelier. For years, she has been enlivening the region's cultural life through exhibitions, plein-air workshops, and artistic events. She also passionately designs and creates Baroque theater costumes. The "Pro Arte" Award was presented to her in recognition of her multifaceted work in heritage preservation and the development of cultural potential, for her lifetime artistic achievements and social engagement, and for her many years of inspiring work on behalf of young people and the local community. Janusz Janiszewski is an artist and cultural animator who has been involved in theater and artistic education for nearly four decades. He is the founder of the Uhuru Youth Theater, senior theaters, and the Senior Art Salon at the "13 MUZ" Cultural Center. He received the "Pro Arte" Award for his creative commitment, individuality, and exceptional stage work spanning over 30 years, providing exceptionally engaging experiences for several generations of theatre participants. He also earned the distinction of cultural and social work for young people and the elderly.

Nominations for the award were open to cultural institutions, art schools, unions, foundations, and associations active in the cultural sphere, government administration bodies, local government units, and representatives of creative communities. (K)

ADVERTISEMENT