June 3, 2024 – People come to Hvar for many different reasons. Next weekend is dedicated to art, with both Sketchbook by the Sea, and Hvar Bodypainting Festival 2024.
One of the things I liked most about living on Hvar was its sheer diversity and the many different reasons people chose to visit that magical island. The beaches, the nightlife, the food & wine, the culture, the nature were all high on the list, of course, but there were many other reasons why people took the ferry to Croatia’s premier island.
Like art.
I have a friend in Vrboska who used to run small painting holidays for small groups. Paint scenes from this idyllic island by day, explore its magic by night. I used to follow the artists on Facebook as they moved from enchanting location to enchanting location over a week. What a magical way to connect to a destination.
Something similar is possible next weekend, with the first of two interesting art events on Hvar – Sketchbook by the Sea.
“Sketchbook By The Sea,” an exhilarating Urban Sketching workshop set against the captivating backdrop of Hvar, Croatia, taking place from June 7-9, 2024. This unique artistic journey will be guided by three accomplished instructors: Jenny Adam (Germany), Tazab (France), and Oliver Hoeller (Austria).
Over the course of three days, participants will have the opportunity to delve into the art of urban sketching, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Hvar. The workshop will revolve around the exploration of techniques related to composition, colour, and form, all while drawing inspiration from the stunning coastal landscapes and urban scenes of this picturesque Croatian island.
The instructors will take turns leading various workshops, each contributing their expertise to provide a diverse and enriching experience. Participants will learn to capture the essence of urban spaces, incorporating elements of architecture, people, and daily life into their sketches. You can find out more information on the official website.
The weekend also coincides with another first for this unique island. After the success of last year’s Hvar Bodypainting Weekend, the first human body painting festival competition in Croatia will be held in Hvar on June 8-9, a competition that is enchanting, inspiring, attractive and, above all, very fun for authors, models, and the audience.
Hvar Bodypainting Festival 2024 is dedicated to World Ocean Day (June 8) to draw attention to sea pollution, the presence of microplastics in the bodies of animals, the danger to animals, as well as the danger to the entire underwater world. World Ocean Day will also be the main theme of the Festival.
On June 8, in the famous Veneranda in Hvar, top world bodypainting artists (as many as 6 world champions are coming!) will compete in the sponge + brush categories as well as in the open category (airbrush, stencils, special effects, camouflage). The total prize pool for both categories is 3,500 euros.
A Children’s Afternoon has also been prepared where the little ones will be able to enjoy the company of a clown, a man on stilts, face painting and discovering what’s in the piñata, as well as free ice cream.
Given that art is timeless, so is the Bodypainting festival program of the Hvar festival intended for different generations, and the organizers are very happy to announce the evening announcement of the winners and a big party “FISHING OLD SONGS” with a DJ, in the rhythm of the 80s and 90s.
Entrance to all Festival events, both days of the Festival, is free!
On the second day, June 9, the Festival moves to the beautiful islet of Galešnik, the first in the series of the Pakleni Islands, located at the very entrance to Hvar’s harbor, which offers one of the most beautiful views of Hvar.
At Galešnik, drawing of models is also planned, as well as a photosession under the sea, free diving with an expert team, removal of waste from the sea, and testing of e-foil boards.
For the final party of the Festival, the team returns to Hvar, to the legendary Carpe Diem Bar.
Last year’s Hvar Bodypainting weekend brought world masters of bodypainting to Hvar for the first time. This year, the weekend has grown into a festival, and the Bodypainting Festival Hvar brings an even larger number of artists – as many as five of them arrive from Italy, two bodypainting masters each come from distant South Korea and Austria. The festival also has a guest artist from Mexico, and representatives from Greece, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and Poland are also arriving.
The Bodypainting Festival Hvar 2024 was designed with the great support of the World Bodypainting Festival and its founder and organizer Alex Barendregt, while Lorena Matas is responsible for the idea and organization of the Bodypainting Festival Hvar. The Bodypainting Festival Hvar is realized with the support of the Tourist Board of the Town of Hvar and in cooperation with JU Hvar 1612 and the Town of Hvar.
A big thank you from the Bodypainting Festival Hvar team for their support, cooperation and support, as well as the World Bodypainting Festival. However, a big thank you also goes to the large number of sponsors who decided to support the first festival edition of bodypainting on Hvar. They are (in alphabetical order): aROMA Gelato Boutique Hvar, Carpe Diem Bar Hvar, Diamond Premium Booking, Diving Center Aqualis Hvar, Farmakol, Gastro Hvar, Hecherhaus, Hostel Marinero, Hotel Park Hvar, Hvar Fly, Kavana Pjaca Hvar, Kiva Bar Hvar , Kogo – Pizza, Pasta & Grill, Maslina Resort Stari Grad, Nook Stari Grad, PIP and Sunčani Hvar Hotels. You can find out more details here.
