Czech Center New York opened the exibition Beautiful Work: Young Designers Redefining Tradition. Petra (Gupta) Valentová received the Crystal Heart of Gold at the Czech Center New York as a reward for her collaboration with the Czech Center New York in 2023 and for her support of Czech and Slovak culture in the United States.
Petra (Gupta) Valentová, a multi-media artist, curator, and art connoisseur, who was born in the Czech Republic and now living in New York City with her family, was honored with the Crystal Heart of Gold. Miroslav Konvalina, the director of the Czech Center New York, presented the award during the opening of the exhibition "Beautiful Work" at the Bohemian National Hall in Manhattan.
He stated, “It is a great pleasure to present this year's Czech Center Award to a special person to whom I would like to express our gratitude. Petra (Gupta) Valentová has collaborated with us on multiple projects for many years. An artist herself, she supports other artists and has hosted numerous artistic gatherings and residences in New York City and upstate. The Czech Center New York recognizes her tireless efforts in supporting and promoting Czech and Slovak art and artists in the US, especially in New York.”
The glass heart, designed by Czech glassmaker Lukáš Šulc, has been awarded by the Czech Center New York since 2019. Previous recipients of the Crystal Heart include opera singer Kristýna Kůstková, professor Milan Babík of Colby College, and Cecilia Rokusek, Director of the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) in Iowa.
Photo credit © Bruce C. T. Bybee
There were two workshops that took place during the exhibition, presenting traditional handcraft techniques: embroidery with the students of UMPRUM and blueprint with Petra Gupta Valentová.
