May 12 – July 20
For nearly five decades, Legnica has been the beating heart of contemporary artistic jewellery in Europe. Each spring, this quiet Polish town transforms into an international meeting point for artists, curators, collectors, and jewellery lovers – thanks to the Legnica Jewellery Festival SILVER and its signature event, the International Jewellery Competition with the theme WOW Effect!
Held continuously since 1979, the International Jewellery Competition is one of the oldest events of its kind in Europe. The participants are given full freedom of technique and materials, with one key condition: to respond creatively to the theme.
The post-competition exhibition, open until July 20 at the Legnica Gallery of Art, showcases 44 works by artists from 22 countries, selected from nearly 300 entries submitted from 42 countries. These miniature works of art go far beyond the conventional boundaries of jewellery – from poetic whispers to bold artistic manifestos.
The jury – featuring artists and curators Märta Mattsson, Barbara Schmidt, Sławomir Fijałkowski and Paweł Kaczyński – selected works for the exhibition and has chosen the winners.
The Grand Prix went to Konstanze Prechtl (Austria) for a conceptually rich and visually precise piece that explored the idea of “flaw” as an aesthetic strength. Second Prize was awarded to Antal Zilahi (Hungary) for a poetic brooch incorporating mirrored surfaces, while Third Prize went to Into Niilo (Belgium) for a bold, idea-driven necklace concealing a hidden message. Additional awards and distinctions were presented to artists from Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, Argentina, and Slovakia – reflecting the competition’s wide international scope and the remarkable diversity of creative approaches.
The Legnica Jewellery Festival SILVER will return in May 2026 with the next edition – with over a dozen exhibitions devoted to the contemporary jewellery and events. Next International Jewellery Competition will be held under the theme Everybody – inviting inclusive interpretations. Legnica continues to prove that contemporary jewellery is not just worn – it speaks, questions, and connects.
