The historic building, which served as the Kültürpark Painting and Sculpture Museum under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for many years, has been taken over by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and transformed into an art gallery named after Izmir-based ceramic artist Mehmet Tüzüm Kızılcan. This significant step both preserves Izmir's cultural heritage and provides the city with a new art venue. Two important exhibitions will be presented at the gallery as part of the 94th Izmir International Fair (IIF). Online art courses
Opening and Exhibitions
The building, designed in 1939 by Bruno Taut, the renowned master of modern architecture, was opened with a ceremony attended by Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay and his wife Öznur Tugay. Speaking at the opening, Mayor Tugay said, "We will continue to work to make Izmir better than the day before. It's not for nothing that we say, 'It suits us to work hard.'"
The gallery opens its doors to the people of Izmir with its first exhibitions:
Fırat Neziroğlu's "I Miss Izmir" Exhibition: International textile artist Fırat Neziroğlu brings his longing for his hometown of Izmir into his art by combining traditional and contemporary weaving techniques. The exhibition, featuring 22 original works, will be open to the public from August 29th to October 31st.
Mehmet Nuri Göçen Foundation International Ceramics Workshop Collection: Curated by Mehmet Tüzüm Kızılcan, this exhibition brings together works produced at the international ceramics workshops the foundation has organized over the past 11 years. The collection will be open to the public from August 29th to October 31st.
Izmir's Art and Artists Value
At the opening, Mayor Tugay emphasized the importance Izmir places on its artists and art. "Izmir is an artist's factory. Art naturally flourishes and develops in Izmir," Tugay said, adding that the municipality will continue to open doors to artists. Artist Mehmet Tüzüm Kızılcan expressed his joy at the opening of an art gallery in his name, saying, "Having an art gallery named after me in Izmir is probably the greatest gift I could have received." Online art courses
Artist Fırat Neziroğlu, who attended the ceremony, expressed his feelings for Izmir, saying, "I'm proud to say I'm from Izmir. This is the city of art, tolerance, beauty, happiness, and peace. We are at the cradle of civilization." Both exhibitions will begin welcoming visitors with the opening of the Izmir International Fair.
Source: https://rayhaber.com/2025/08/izmirde-mehmet-tuzum-kizilcan-sanat-galerisi-acildi/