The mural on Kaplířova Street in Pilsen is the result of collaboration between the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (FDU ZČU), the Diocese of Pilsen, and the Wallz street art festival, which annually invites artists to create in the city's public spaces. Kateřina Šípková, a master's student at the Graphic Design Studio at the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art ZČU, designed and created a large-scale painting on Kaplířova Street, inspired by the motto "Everyone is part of a larger story and together we create a beautiful whole."
Why did you get involved in the Wallz street art festival?
In 2021, I created a mural in an underpass in my hometown of Letohrad. This experience inspired me and deepened my interest in working on a larger scale and in techniques applicable to public spaces. That's why I decided to apply for this open call.
How does your study at the Graphic Art Studio relate to similar projects in public spaces? Do you – as a studio – work on such commissions regularly?
I decided to focus my master's studies at the Graphic Art Studio primarily on graphic expression in public spaces. This is also connected to my previous studies in interior design, which sparked my interest in large-scale works both indoors and outdoors. The Graphic Art Studio has long focused on graphic expression in public spaces and also supports students individually according to what they want to focus on most during their studies. Similar projects are most often carried out on the faculty's perimeter walls, where there is an opportunity to try out various techniques that can be used in such spaces.
What role did the diocese play in the commission and how did the collaboration come about?
The Diocese of Pilsen was the first to approach our school with an offer of a possible surface for creating a mural. The school then established collaboration with the Wallz festival, which has long focused on these types of projects.
How long will the mural be visible? Is it a permanent painting?
The mural should remain here permanently.
What theme did you work with?
The diocese set mottos in advance from which the proposals should be based. I chose the motto "Everyone is part of a larger story and together we create a beautiful whole."
Have you participated in other similar festivals?
I haven't participated in similar festivals yet, but in the future I would like to get involved in other similar projects. However, at the beginning of this semester, a symposium on mural techniques took place at our studio, which I also attended.
The Graphic Art Studio at Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art (University of West Bohemia) has well-equipped workshops for intaglio, letterpress, lithography and screen printing. Our premises also include a courtyard for mural projects and part of a hall – an open space for creating large-format drawings and prints. In the bachelor's program, completion of semester courses in relief printing, letterpress, lithography and screen printing is mandatory; most students go abroad for one semester as part of the Erasmus program. In the master's program, we individualize the study program based on the abilities and direction of individual students. We regularly participate in extracurricular projects, exhibitions and shows. Typical outputs of our work include drawings, prints, artist books, illustration series and projects in public spaces. Interdisciplinary collaboration protects us from insularity and artism. The goal of all our activities remains a mind open to stimuli from the external world, capable of refining, structuring problems and proposing solutions, as well as the simple joy of polishing stone with river sand.
The Open Day at the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art at the University of West Bohemia will take place on November 7. Prospective students will have the possibility to visit the studios, meet teachers and students, and see the technical facilities. Applications for bachelor's studies (BcA.) can be submitted until November 30 of this year.
Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art |
Monika Bechná |
15. 10. 2025 |