Debrecen4U
July 6, 2026
Examination Masterpieces on Display at New City Hall Gallery
An exhibition of graduation projects by the final-year students of the Kós Károly Secondary Art and Technical School opened at the New City Hall Gallery on 2 July 2026 under the title Examination Masterpieces ’26.
The exhibition showcases the work of 61 graduating students, offering a comprehensive overview of the school’s high-quality artistic education and the diverse creative perspectives of its young artists.
The exhibition features works by 19 graphic designers, 23 animation designers, 12 fashion and costume designers, and 7 goldsmithing students. Reflecting the breadth of the school’s programmes, the exhibits include illustrations, visual identity designs, photo books, animation projects, board games, children’s books, fashion collections, costumes and goldsmithing pieces. Visitors will encounter projects inspired by mythology, visual explorations of cultural journeys, works responding to contemporary visual culture, and designs that reinterpret everyday objects from fresh perspectives.
Opening the exhibition, Deputy Mayor István Puskás noted that the gallery had been established several years ago to create a more direct meeting point between the city’s cultural life and its residents. He explained that hundreds of people pass through the New City Hall every day, making it possible for anyone to discover Debrecen’s cultural heritage, traditions, contemporary creative achievements and emerging talents without having to visit a gallery, museum or educational institution.
The Deputy Mayor also highlighted the Kós Károly Secondary Art and Technical School as one of the city’s most active cultural institutions, regularly presenting its students’ work to a wider audience. This year, students participated in Art Week, while only a few weeks ago their animated films were screened during the Sketch Animation Festival at the Apolló Cinema. They have also recently exhibited their work at the Pásti Street Synagogue. According to the Deputy Mayor, the City Hall gallery provides an excellent opportunity for these young artists to present what they have achieved during their years of study, to share their perspectives on the world and to express themselves through visual culture.
In her welcome address, András Istvánné Vántus, Professional Director and Deputy Head of the Debrecen School District Centre, remarked that the occasion celebrated not simply the opening of an exhibition, but an important milestone in a five-year creative journey. “Behind the works presented today lie perseverance, dedication, talent and countless revised ideas. Every piece tells a personal story, revealing how each young artist’s vision, professional knowledge and creative identity have evolved, she said.
She added that the works of the 61 graduating students demonstrate both outstanding professional preparation and distinctive artistic vision. The projects by graphic designers, animation designers, fashion and costume designers, and goldsmiths successfully combine respect for artistic tradition with the fresh perspectives of contemporary visual culture. “These works demonstrate that creativity becomes truly valuable when it inspires ideas, initiates dialogue and builds connections between people. I believe that the projects presented today are not only fitting conclusions to the students’ examinations, but also the first significant milestones of promising creative careers.”
Tünde Szabadka Vargáné, Director General of the Kós Károly Secondary Art and Technical School, explained that the exhibiting students had spent five years at the school, maturing into confident young artists during that time. She expressed her confidence that they had acquired a solid foundation that would serve them well in their future careers and hoped they would continue to build upon the knowledge and values they had gained within the school’s walls. She also emphasised the importance of presenting students’ work beyond the confines of the school building.
Each of the exhibited projects is the result of several months of planning, research, experimentation and production. The finished works were preceded by numerous sketches, technical studies and design iterations, illustrating the complexity of the artistic creative process. As a result, the exhibition offers not only completed artworks but also valuable insight into the thinking and development that shaped them.
One of the exhibition’s central themes is the meeting of tradition and innovation. Throughout the students’ work, classical artistic values are naturally combined with digital technologies, contemporary visual culture and personal experiences. The projects reflect individual creativity, professional expertise and the openness that is increasingly essential within today’s creative industries.
The exhibition also marks an important milestone in the lives of the graduating students. The knowledge, experience and artistic approach they have developed over the past five years are now presented to the public for the first time in a unified exhibition. Serving both as a retrospective and an introduction, the exhibition concludes an important stage of learning while opening the door to higher education, professional artistic careers and the wider creative industries.
The Kós Károly Secondary Art and Technical School aims not only to provide its students with strong professional foundations but also to nurture creative individuals who respond thoughtfully to their surroundings, develop independent ideas and create work of lasting value. This year’s graduation exhibition is a compelling reflection of that philosophy, with each exhibit demonstrating talent, commitment and creative thinking.
The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to explore the diverse world of these emerging artists and designers while gaining insight into the ideas, skills and creative potential of the next generation.
The exhibition is open to the public during the New City Hall’s opening hours until 27 July 2026.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
