In 1962, Picelj initiated a series of his self-published “Edition a” art booklets, having released a total of seven publications up until 1964. Each issue of “Edition a” featured the work of one artist —mostly of a colleague whose work he admired.
In 1962, Picelj initiated a series of his self-published “Edition a” art booklets, having released a total of seven publications up until 1964. Each issue of “Edition a” featured the work of one artist —mostly of a colleague whose work he admired.
For the fourth time, the Orangery of the Museum of King Jan III’s Palace hosts TOP CHARITY Art – a unique event that has been available free of charge to all visitors since April 17. The democratization of art and the removal of barriers to access to high culture is one of the key statutory goals of the OmenaArt Foundation. TOP CHARITY Art is an integral part of the jubilee, fifth edition of the largest philanthropic initiative in this part of Europe, TOP CHARITY, created by Omenaa Mensah and Rafał Brzoska.
The jubilee character of this year’s edition was emphasized by the presence of a world-class star – during the ceremonial vernissage, the special guest was Heather Small, the legendary voice of the band M People, who in her career has sold over 10 million records. Her energetic performance became a musical symbol of the five-year anniversary of the initiative, which successfully combines the world of great art with an extraordinary mission of bringing help to those in need. The presence of such an iconic artist gave the event a unique, international glow, perfectly harmonizing with the idea of building bridges between continents and cultures, which Omenaa Mensah has been consistently implementing for years.
Heather Small’s voice, known for anthems about strength and determination, became a perfect complement to the evening, during which the successes of foundations supporting those in need in Poland and Africa were celebrated. Importantly, the artist’s involvement goes beyond the framework of the vernissage – Heather Small, like DJ Cuppy (Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola), who will be a guest of this year’s TOP CHARITY Gala, due to their origin and passion, will become ambassadors of the musical space (studio and artistic residence) in the Sport&Art Complex being established in Ghana. Together, they will help create a place where African talents will gain professional conditions for development and creative expression.
On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of TOP CHARITY, the OmenaArt Foundation launched the first patronage program of its kind in Poland, so extensive, for patrons of culture. It is modeled on the best Western European initiatives of this type, on whose boards Omenaa Mensah sits (including TATE Modern in London or MICAS in Malta). These programs professionalize the relationship between the donor and the institution:
The activity of the OmenaArt Foundation at the Museum of King Jan III’s Palace in Wilanów is a multi-year commitment, which since 2023 has translated into a donation of over 1.5 million PLN for key revitalization and exhibition activities, including the revitalization of the North Gallery, which had been closed for over 60 years. As part of this year’s installment of the project, funds from the TOP CHARITY budget and funds transferred by the Foundation will be allocated to the revitalization of the glass spaces of the North Garden Gallery, which includes both the development of project documentation and its full implementation. The aim of these works is to improve the aesthetics and functionality of the facility, as well as to protect its unique, historical character, which is part of the statutory mission of the OmenaArt Foundation regarding the democratization of art and caring for Polish national heritage. This year’s support for Wilanów is implemented within the Philanthropic Consortium, which, alongside the Museum, also supports other prestigious institutions such as Zachęta – National Gallery of Art, the Grand Theatre – National Opera, or the Central Museum of Textiles in Łódź, building a lasting bridge between business, philanthropy, and high culture.
