The international art world turns its eyes to the Baltic region this October as ArtVilnius’26, the 17th edition of the international contemporary art fair, prepares to open its doors. Scheduled to run from October 1 to 4, 2026, at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre Litexpo, the event remains the most significant gathering of its kind in the Baltics. This year, the fair acts as a major bridge for the art market, bringing together 70 galleries from across Europe and beyond to foster cross-regional dialogue, commercial exchange, and the elevation of contemporary artistic practices.
Located just 15 minutes from the historic center of Vilnius, the Litexpo venue is set to host an anticipated 18,000 to 23,000 visitors, ranging from seasoned collectors and museum curators to casual art enthusiasts. The 2026 iteration places a distinct emphasis on the vibrant contemporary art scenes of three key cities: Vilnius, Warsaw, and Vienna. By highlighting these specific nodes of creativity, the fair aims to facilitate a more granular exchange of ideas, while providing an international stage for both emerging talent and established masters.
International Exhibitors and a Regional Focus
The gallery lineup for ArtVilnius’26 is as diverse as it is ambitious, drawing participants from Austria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
The inclusion of the Viennese scene is a particular highlight for this year’s edition. Among the participants is Christine König Galerie, a cornerstone of the Austrian art market with over four decades of experience in presenting conceptual and contemporary works at prestigious global fairs. Joining them from the Austrian capital is Galerie Sturm & Schober, further cementing the strong connection between the central European art hubs and the Baltic market.
The presence of Warsaw-based galleries marks a significant homecoming for several institutions. LETO Gallery, a participant in the very first edition of ArtVilnius, makes its return after nearly a decade, joined by Le Guern Gallery. The fair also welcomes debuts from HOS Gallery and Fijewski Gallery, both of which bring fresh perspectives on the contemporary Polish art scene.
The spirit of discovery remains a central pillar of the fair, as evidenced by the influx of first-time exhibitors. Galleries such as Galerie 3AP from Düsseldorf, Galleri Lundberg-Sandhagen from Stockholm, and Tur from Riga represent the growing interest in the Baltic art market from Western and Northern Europe. Simultaneously, local pride is represented by the participation of Galerija Vartai, one of the most prominent galleries in Vilnius.
Beyond the major urban centers, the fair also serves as a vital platform for regional Lithuanian art, with the Vilnius Academy of Arts presenting six of its own galleries. Furthermore, the event features spaces from across Lithuania, including Utena, Molėtai, Trakai, Ukmergė, Šiauliai, and Panevėžys, ensuring that the local artistic landscape is represented in all its geographic diversity.
Three Decades of Growth and Institutional Legacy
ArtVilnius’26 is organized by the Lithuanian Art Gallerists’ Association, which celebrates a landmark 30th anniversary this year. Having founded the fair seventeen years ago, the association has been the primary architect of its evolution into the largest and most influential contemporary art event in the Baltic States.
The success of the fair is, in many ways, a reflection of the strength of the association’s members. Many of the most active galleries in the country, including The Rooster Gallery, Terra Recognita, Meno Niša, and DRIFTS from Vilnius, along with Baroti Gallery from Klaipėda, are integral to the fair’s identity. Their consistent participation and dedication have helped sustain the momentum of the Lithuanian art scene throughout the years.
Curated Projects and Intellectual Programming
The intellectual rigor of ArtVilnius’26 is guided by a robust curatorial framework. The Project Zone is curated this year by Neringa Bumblienė, the director of the Nida Art Colony and the artistic director of the Vilnius Performance Art Biennial. Under her direction, the fair features an impressive array of institutional participants, including the Zachęta National Gallery of Art from Warsaw, which has long been a key player in commissioning works for the Polish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
Other notable institutional guests include Galeria Studio, which brings a selection from its extensive archive of Polish modern and avant-garde art; the Rothko Museum from Daugavpils, which holds the unique distinction of housing the only original works by Mark Rothko in the Baltic region; and the newly established Stasys Museum in Panevėžys, which is dedicated to the prolific output of artist Stasys Eidrigevičius. Additionally, the Viennese collective Gelatin, known for their provocative and often humorous performative installations, will be presented courtesy of Galerie Meyer Kainer.
The fair also honors the achievements of distinguished Lithuanian artists. The programming spotlights the work of Deimantas Narkevičius, a figure of international renown who represented Lithuania at the 49th Venice Biennale and is a recipient of the Vincent van Gogh award. Also featured is Emilija Škarnulytė, whose multidisciplinary practice has been showcased at the Tate St Ives and the Palais de Tokyo, and who has received significant accolades including the Future Generation Art Prize and the Ars Fennica Award.
The Path: Sculpture and Performance
The annual exhibition Takas (The Path)—a cornerstone of the fair dedicated to sculpture, installation, and performance—has been curated for the first time by the Vienna-based writer and curator Aliaksei Barysionak. This year’s edition of Takas features an eclectic group of eleven artists, reflecting the cross-border nature of contemporary art. The selection includes Lithuanian artists Žygimantas Julijus Bėrontas, Rokas Janušonis, Povilas Jatkevičius, Ūla Šukytė, Kasparas Brazovskis, and Vytautas Viržbickas. They are joined by international counterparts including Anna Mari Liivrand and Bob Bicknell-Knight, representing Estonia and the UK respectively, Latvian artist Anna Egle, Ukrainian artist Mariia Kulykivska, and Katsiaryna Miats, who works between Belarus and Lithuania.
Beyond the exhibitions, the ArtVilnius Talks series offers a space for critical discourse. The panel discussions feature a roster of international experts, including collector Frédéric de Goldschmidt, art advisor Alia Al-Senussi, curator Paco Barragán, and Jemal Inaishvili of the Kvarelli Foundation. The program is further enriched by guided tours led by professional art historians, educational workshops, networking sessions, and the dedicated Young Collectors’ stand, designed to demystify the art acquisition process for a new generation of buyers.
Awards will be presented throughout the fair, with both an international jury and the public invited to vote on their favorite galleries and artists, fostering an environment of engagement and recognition.
ArtVilnius’26 is made possible through the support of the Lithuanian Council for Culture and the patronage of the Vilnius City Municipality. The fair is also supported by the Maecenas Law Firm Cobalt and General Partner EIKA Group. Under the leadership of Director Diana Stomienė and Artistic Director Sonata Baliuckaitė Arlauskienė, the event continues to function as a vital, high-energy nexus for the art market in the region.
The fair opens on Thursday, October 1, with a dedicated VIP preview from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. General public admission is available on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets can be secured through the fair’s official online ticketing portal, with comprehensive programming details and visitor information available on the official ArtVilnius website.
