The Liudmyla and Mykola Mazur Regional Art Competition “Podilska Palitra” began accepting children’s drawings in 2000. Aimed at discovering and promoting young talent, it has become a platform for supporting and developing the creative abilities of children and youth. It was then, with the aim of honoring the memory of the renowned Ukrainian artist Liudmyla Mazur (1947–2000), that this competition was founded by Bohdan Telenko, then editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Proskuriv.” Drawing on folk art while transcending its decorative aspects, Liudmyla Mazur elevated the art of vytynanka to a professional level, skillfully combining the ancient technique of paper-cutting with modern ideas rooted in Ukrainian ethnoculture.

Every November, the Khmelnytskyi Regional Art Museum hosted an artistic event—an exhibition of creative works and an awards ceremony for the winners. Since its inception, it was a public competition for the Liudmyla Mazur Award, and in 2015, by a decision of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Council, it acquired the status of the Liudmyla Mazur Regional Children’s Competition for Young Artists, “Podilska Palitra.” Since 2016, it has been the Liudmyla and Mykola Mazur Regional Art Competition “Podilska Palitra.” Mykola Mazur (1948–2015) was a People’s Artist of Ukraine, a monumentalist, sculptor, graphic artist, painter, and educator. The roots of his painting can be found in traditional folk art—frescoes, embroidery, and paper cutouts. Mykola Mazur’s works, even when they depict sorrow and despair, or dramatic or tragic events, still radiate a remarkable warmth that has always been characteristic of folk painting and iconography. The artist’s numerous three-dimensional compositions and sculptures are a significant gift to the city.

Since 2017, the scope of the competition has expanded: it is now held in two rounds. The first round features works by contestants in three age categories: 6–9, 10–12, and 13–16 years old. Three winners are selected in each of these age categories. In the second round, works by contestants aged 17 to 25 are reviewed, and one winner is selected in each of four categories: painting, graphic art, sculpture, and decorative and applied arts.

In accordance with the Regulations approved by a decision of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Council on March 27, 2024, the competition has undergone further changes. It is now held in the spring, the composition of the competition committee has been updated, and, most importantly, the prize fund has significantly increased. Additionally, all age categories participate in both the first and second rounds; however, in the first round, works are submitted online, and those that advance to the second round are displayed at the museum, where they are exhibited alongside works by other renowned artists. The selection of winners takes place in the second round. Their works in the exhibition are traditionally marked with colored labels.

In total, 206 winners have been selected over the years of the competition (including this year’s). Our museum’s collection has received 244 works by young artists, as in addition to the main awards, various special prizes have been awarded over the years: the Audience Choice Award, incentive and special prizes, including the Mayor’s Award and the special “Choice of the KhRAM” prize.

This year, 489 works created using various materials and techniques were submitted for the first round of the competition. Of course, there isn’t a single piece that isn’t worthy of recognition. It wasn’t easy for the competition committee to select 183 of these works to advance to the second round, and it was especially difficult to choose 12 winners from among them.

The competition was created to support talented and determined individuals, so everyone who isn’t a winner today is a potential winner next year!