You are invited to the opening of the exhibition “Being in Art” on Saturday, 3 May at 15:00. As part of the exhibition, the new lighting solution of the ICDS will be opened and introduced to the art community of Rapla County.

In 2025, it will be 30 years since the establishment of the Rapla Art Society, which is a significant event in the cultural life of Rapla. These years include several revolutionary stages in both social life and the development of the county’s art life. This anniversary gives us a reason to look back with gratitude to the various inspiring art projects led by Krista and Jaan Urvet. Today, these initiatives have grown into new collaborations and several artists. To celebrate the jubilee year, an exhibition “Being in Art” will be held in the spring and a conference on the topic will be held in the autumn.

The Urvets’ activities in the field of art began in the 1980s, when Jaan Urvet organised exhibitions of renowned Estonian artists at the Rapla KEK with the help of the Art Foundation. In 1981, the Urvets founded the children’s film studio MINI-ANIMA, with Krista Urvet as its artistic director. The studio created animated films that achieved success at festivals all over the Soviet Union, bringing several important awards to Rapla. The studio operated for 10 years. At the beginning of the nineties, musician and businessman Toivo Kurmet appeared in Rapla from exile. In January 1992, he led the establishment of the charitable foundation MAGHIRA FOND (MF)

In the same year, the foundation founded the MF MAGHIRA ART SCHOOL. The school project was led by Krista Urvet, who was also an art teacher at the Rapla Vesiroosi School. By 1993, MF had become insolvent and there was no support from the local government either. After Estonia regained its independence, a social movement emerged and an umbrella organisation was established to support the hobby and continuing education of adults, the Estonian Association of Non-Formal Education, of which the Maghira Art School also became a member. Grants were received for adult handicraft course students through various projects. The art school ceased its activities in 1995 In the same year, 1995, the RAPLA ART SOCIETY was founded on the initiative of the Urvets. Some former members of the Rapla Art Club, artists and amateur artists from all over Rapla County joined the society. The number of members reached 30 people.

The art trainings for adults took place in the premises of the Rapla Art Society Workshop, which was located in the rectory belonging to the Rapla congregation. The training programmes were approved by the Ministry of Education and Research. The trainers were artists and masters recognised in their fields. The society regularly organised art camps and exhibitions. Exhibitions of Estonia’s renowned professional artists and amateurs were exhibited in the Rapla Central Library, Rütman Gallery and throughout Rapla County.

In 2013, the Rapla Art Society was renamed the Rapla Handicraft and Art Society, the organiser of which was Ivi Sark. The society has continued to organise conferences, study trips and adult trainings. In 2010, former teachers of the Rapla Art Society, Kairi Orgusaar and Riin Pallon, founded the Rapla County Contemporary Art Center (ICDS), which organises exhibitions, trainings and various art events in the ICDS Gallery. This year, the ICDS celebrates its 15th year of operation.

The exhibition is open: 3 – 23 May 2025, Tue – Fri 15.00 – 18.00, Sat – Sun 12.00 -15.00 Rapla Contemporary Art Center, Tallinna mnt.3b, III floor.

Major exhibitions and recognitions:
2003 – Exhibition in Helsinki
2004 – Exhibition in Axevalla (Sweden)
2005 – “Deed of the Year” for organising the events of the Year of Arts
2006 – joint exhibition in Madona (Latvia) with works by 23 artists from Rapla and three art schools (Märjamaa, Kehtna, Kohila)
2007 – Krista Urvet was awarded the annual award of the Rapla County expert group of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia
2008 – Krista Urvet was awarded the cultural award “Rapla Locomotive”