Please join us at the FPA Swieconka being held at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy on Sunday, April 12. At this year’s traditional Polish Easter dinner, we will acknowledge and celebrate 60 years of artistic performance by the Wawel Folk Ensemble in both song and dance.

See invitation/flyer for program details (Polish Easter dinner, award presentation, dance performance and basket raffle). Reservations can be made by returning the completed “reservation form” located in the bottom half of the invitation.

• Święconka Registration Form (PDF)

We invite artists and community members to take part in this special exhibition, celebrating creativity and Polish artistic heritage. The competition will be held at the Galeria in Orchard Lake, Michigan.

• Opening Reception: September 12, 2026
• Closing Reception: October 24, 2026
• Location: 3535 Commerce Road, Orchard Lake, MI
• Entry is free and all are welcome

Please help us spread the word and share this announcement with artists and friends in the community who may be interested in participating.

For questions, contact Elijah Majeski, PICROL Galeria Manager, at emajeski@picrol.org

We look forward to celebrating the arts together in 2026!

Friends of Polish Art is now accepting applications for the Donald Samull Polish Folk Dance Grants. For the fourth year in a row, Friends of Polish Art will award up to four grants in amounts up to $2,500 each to Michigan-based Polish folk dance groups.

The purpose of the grant program is to support local Polish folk dance groups with their regular activities. Special consideration will be given to groups traveling to Poland to participate in folk dance festivals.

The application process is very simple. The deadline to apply is April 24, 2026.

Dance groups, dance directors, instructors, and community members are encouraged to share this opportunity widely with local Polish folk dance organizations.

Application details and the downloadable application form

Thanks to the generosity of Lillian and Chester Mitchell, Friends of Polish Art will award a total of five scholarships this year, each in the amount of $2,000.

Lillian & Chester Mitchell Scholarships

Three scholarships are available for students pursuing academic studies in a wide range of disciplines. Eligible areas of study include, but are not limited to, law, medicine, architecture, engineering sciences, and the liberal arts. These scholarships are designed to support students who demonstrate academic commitment and a dedication to learning across diverse professional fields.

Lillian & Chester Mitchell Fine Arts Scholarships

Two additional scholarships are dedicated to students pursuing studies in the fine arts and related humanities. Eligible fields include painting, sculpture, music, drama, theatre, dance, and other forms of creative expression, as well as history, literature, religion, philosophy, and Polish Studies. These awards reflect Friends of Polish Art’s mission to foster artistic excellence and cultural preservation.

Important Dates and Eligibility

All applications and required documentation must be received by April 24, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be notified on or before May 17, 2026, and awards will be presented at the Friends of Polish Art General Membership Meeting scheduled for the week of May 22, 2026.

Please note that previous recipients of the Filipek and Mitchell Fine Arts Scholarships, as well as non Michigan residents, are not eligible to apply. Awards will be made payable directly to the individual recipients.

How to Apply

Complete application details and downloadable forms are available on the Friends of Polish Art website:

• Mitchell Scholarship
• Mitchell Fine Arts Scholarship

Friends of Polish Art has proudly served the Detroit area and Michigan’s Polish community since 1937. These scholarships are one of the many ways the organization continues its mission of promoting education, culture, and the arts.

Interested students are encouraged to apply early and review all requirements carefully.

Friends of Polish Art Cordially invites you, your family and friends to it’s annual Wigilia.

• Saturday, December 13, 2025
  American Polish Cultural Center
  2975 E. Maple Road, Troy, Michigan

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Cash bar 5:00 – 5:45 p.m. Sharing opłatek at 6 p.m.
Traditional Christmas Eve meal at 6:15 p.m., followed by singing Christmas carols, awards, prizes, “share the wealth” and basket fundraisers (cash only, no checks or cards accepted).

Wigilia Invitation (PDF)

SUBMISSION DATE: Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16, 2025, 12:00 to 4:00pm
FPA AWARD PRESENTATION: Sunday, December 7, 2025 – 2:00 pm
VIEWERS CHOICE AWARD PRESENTATION: Sunday, December 7, 2025 – 2:30 pm
Submission and presentation location is at The Polish Art Center.

Szopka Competition Details

The Friends of Polish Art Fine Arts Competition is now accepting entries for its 2025 exhibition. Originally founded in 1985 to support artists of Polish descent, this annual event now welcomes all artists aged 18 and older. The exhibition honors the legacy of Richard Kubiński, a dynamic artist and cultural leader, and continues to promote work inspired by Polish culture.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
• Results Announced: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
• Art Drop-off: Saturday, September 27, 2025 (10 AM – 2 PM)
• Awards Notification: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
• Reception & Awards Ceremony: Sunday, October 5, 2025 (Reception 2–5 PM, Awards at 3 PM)

Awards

• Best in Show: $500
• First Place: $400
• Second Place: $300
• Third Place: $200
• Best Polish Theme: $400
• Three Honorable Mentions: $100 each

Eligibility & Entry

• Open to all artists 18+
• Up to 5 entries allowed
• $30 entry fee; $10 for college students
• Works must be original and created after January 1, 2020
• Submit digital images via the FPA website
• Entry deadline: September 2

Juror for 2025 is Professor Martin Zane Skalski, a seasoned educator, Fulbright Scholar, and artist with extensive international and industrial design experience.

Learn more and apply here

This workshop is open to everyone: children, parents, retirees, students, and community groups. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a curious beginner, all skill levels are welcome!

You’ll receive materials and templates to begin creating your own Szopka – a colorful, miniature rendition of a traditional Polish nativity scene, rich in history and folklore. Feel free to bring your own embellishments to personalize your creation, and don’t forget a pair of scissors!

• All materials are provided.
• The event is free, though donations to help cover material costs are appreciated.
• Location: American Polish Cultural Center – 2975 E Maple Rd, Troy, MI 48083 (Hall 3)
• RSVP by September 10, 2025

This is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in Polish culture, connect with others, and create something truly special. Bring your creativity—and your friends!

2025 Estelle Wachtel-Torres, MD Literary Competition

• 2025 Estelle Wachtel-Torres, MD Literary Competition Entry Form
  
• 2025 Estelle Wachtel-Torres, MD Literary Competition Rules

2025 Youth Literary Competition

• 2025 Youth Literary Competition Application
  
• 2025 Youth Literary Competition Contest Rules

Saturday, April 26, 2025
American Polish Cultural Center – 2975 E. Maple Rd, Troy, MI 48083
Doors open at 4:00 PM | Program at 4:30 PM | Dinner at 5:15 PM
Cash bar available
Raffle tickets: Cash only

Ticket prices:

• Members: $40
• Non-Members: $45
• Children: $20
• Sponsor: $75
• Patron: $125

RSVP by April 19, 2025

• Swieconka Invite (PDF)