Pune: Pune’s vibrant art community is set to gather under one roof at the 11th edition of the Venus Art Festival, taking place from June 10 to June 15 at the Raja Ravi Varma Art Gallery on Ghole Road. Open to the public from 11 am to 7 pm daily, the festival offers free entry for all art lovers.
This six-day celebration of creativity will include a wide array of events such as art exhibitions, painting competitions, and interactive workshops. Festival organiser Surendra Karamchandani shared that the aim is to provide a platform where artists across age groups and skill levels—professionals, amateurs, students, and schoolchildren—can present their work to a wider audience.
The festival will be inaugurated on June 10 at 5 pm, with prominent guests including MP Medha Kulkarni, Dr. Sunil Ingale (President, Indian Medical Association), and Sunil Ballal (Deputy Commissioner, Cultural Department, PMC) gracing the occasion. A special highlight of the evening will be the unveiling of the P L Vintage Signature Edition pen, dedicated to legendary writer P. L. Deshpande, followed by the prize distribution for the painting competition.
Between June 13 and 15, visitors will also be treated to special exhibits by brands such as Camlin, Pan Art, and premium ink collections. In addition, engaging workshops by groups like Urban
Sketchers Pune, the Portrait Group, and Sanskar Bharti will allow attendees to explore and refine their artistic skills.
The painting competition has garnered enthusiastic participation, with entries pouring in from four distinct categories: professionals, amateurs, art students, and school students. Over 150 selected artworks will be displayed during the festival, and the top three entries in each category will receive cash awards.
Organised as part of Venus Traders’ 51st anniversary celebration, the Venus Kala Mahotsav promises to be an enriching and inspiring experience for the city’s art lovers.
