35 Years of the International Atelier for Metal Sculpture
Celebrating the Legacy of Form and Fire
In 2019, the Center for Contemporary Art – Prilep marked the 35th anniversary of the International Atelier for Metal Sculpture. As part of the annual Art Summer program, artists from North Macedonia and Serbia came together to honor a tradition forged in fire and shaped by vision.
The International Atelier for Metal Sculpture, one of the hallmark programs of the Center for Contemporary Art – Prilep (CSLU-Prilep), proudly celebrated its 35th anniversary in July 2019. Founded in 1984, this atelier has continuously upheld the powerful synergy between fire, metal, and human creativity—bringing sculptural expression to life in raw and resonant form.
As part of the Art Summer CSLU-Prilep 2019, the jubilee was marked with a special edition of the atelier. Participating artists included Marjan Stojanoski from Prilep, Djordje Arnaut, and Dragoljub Zdravković from Belgrade, Serbia. Over a 10-day working session, they created new sculptural works in the open-air forge spaces of CSLU-Prilep, echoing the energy and perseverance that has fueled this program for over three decades.
The anniversary stood not just as a celebration of longevity, but as a reaffirmation of CSLU-Prilep’s commitment to progressive and socially engaged sculpture. This atelier has hosted dozens of sculptors from across Europe, contributing to a growing collection of large-scale metal artworks that now enrich public spaces in North Macedonia and beyond.
Forged from tradition yet focused on the future, the 35-year legacy of the Metal Atelier is a testament to the vision of CSLU-Prilep’s founders and the enduring talent of the artists who continue to shape metal into meaning. Through every spark, weld, and grind, the atelier redefines the boundaries of public art and honors the place of metal in contemporary artistic discourse.
