After a nearly five-and-a-half-month run, The Soul of Moravia: Joža Uprka Reprised came to a close on Sunday, March 29 at the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The exhibition brought together over 120 works from the collection of George Drost, thoughtfully organized into thematic sections that traced Uprka’s engagement with Moravian life, folk traditions, … Read More
In Reaction to the Machine: Nostalgia, Tradition, and a Return to the Hand-made
As of late, AI has been a hot topic—for many reasons, but particularly within the arts. This is not the first time that art has transformed in response to emerging technologies, nor is it the first moment in history when technological advancements have fundamentally reshaped the ways in which art is both created and consumed. When looking at the intersection … Read More
The Painter of Surfaces: Technique and Perception in Moravian Life
Early criticism of Joža Uprka often focused on his remarkable technical skill and keen eye for visual detail, qualities that led some critics to describe him as a “painter of surfaces.” While his works were praised for their precise observation of color, texture, and form, Uprka’s great-grandson, Jan Benedik, arges that the emotional depth viewers sometimes perceive in his paintings … Read More
The Complicated Legacy of Jan Uprka
Despite following in his father’s artistic footsteps, Jan Uprka is unfortunately known for his involvement in a much more controversial career—participating in the fascist party during the occupation of Czechoslovakia. While his father, Joža Uprka, became internationally celebrated for his depictions of Moravian folk life, Jan never achieved comparable artistic recognition. Living in the shadow of his acclaimed father could … Read More
When Art Crosses Borders: Murals and the Breath of a New Landscape
Located in the Czech village district of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the mural was made possible through the Self-Supported Municipal Improvements District (SSMID), a program through which local businesses contribute additional funds to beautify the neighborhood through public art and cultural initiatives. Moravian Madonna not only enriches the aesthetic profile of New Bohemia, it reasserts a historic heritage woven into the … Read More
Notes from a Collector: George Drost on the Life and Work of Joža Uprka
In conjunction with the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library exhibition, The Soul of Moravia: Joža Uprka Reprised, collector George T. Drost delivered a lecture on the artist’s life, his contributions to the art historical canon, and his distinctive approach to depicting the Moravian people. Drost, who holds the largest collection of Uprka’s work in the United States, traced the artist’s … Read More
Joza Uprka: National Czech & Slovak Museum Opening (10/04/25)
We are thrilled to announce an upcoming Joza Uprka retrospective opening on October 4th, 2025 at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library. The exhibit will be displayed in the Petrik Gallery within the museum and will consist of a variety of Uprka’s artworks. These Joza Uprka artworks will encompass much of Uprka’s career and work as a vibrant … Read More
Moravian Madonna Mural in Cedar Rapids, IA Reveal (09/18/25)
September 18th, 2025 will be the official unveilment of our Moravian Madonna Mural in Cedar Rapids, IA in partnership with the National Museum of Czech and Slovak Museum and Library. The mural is the iconic painting by Joza Uprka, Untitled (The girl in a scarf from Vesili nad Moravou) (Moravian Madonna), 1925, Oil on canvas, 19 x 32″. This mural … Read More