We are united by WOAK! | exhibition on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the institution

On the occasion of WOAK’s 50th anniversary, we would like to invite you to a unique photographic exhibition, prepared by former employees of the institution: Małgorzata Gardziola, Barbara Planeta and Alicja Usowicz. The exhibition will take you on a journey through the past five decades, showing key moments, figures and events that influenced the development of WOAK.

The exhibition will remind you of the passion, commitment and creative spirit of the people who created the institution. Through the photographs you will see how WOAK (and earlier WDK) has changed, but you will also feel the atmosphere of the past and discover what makes the place – although in different locations – still have a special meaning.

This is a great opportunity to take a fresh look at the history of WOAK and see what has remained the same over the years – the passion of the people who co-created culture.

The exhibition will be open from May 13 to 31, 2025 on the first floor of the Culture Mills from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Admission is free.

The grand opening of the exhibition will take place during WOAK’s 50th anniversary celebration on Tuesday, May 13 at 12:15 pm.

“Thanks to the staff and employees who reached into their home archives, we can show unique photos from the 70s and 80s, thank you.
The choice of photos is not accidental. This is just a gentle glimmer of the 50-year history of the institution in pictures. Above all, we wanted to show the excitement, atmosphere and variety of activities. We wanted to show the people of WDK and WOAK, thanks to whom this is a touching, creative and inspiring story.”

Małgorzata Gardzioła

“This exhibition, is our shared memories. It is an extension of people, events. It connects different times, places and people. In this timeline, photographs intertwine and connect the past and present. They bear witness to the construction of an institution’s identity through time, history and opportunity. They give a picture of the transformation of cultural participation in terms of political, social and cultural changes. This exhibition is also a picture of transformations as a consequence of digital transformation.

The exhibition features photos depicting our work, but also a time of respite and fun. In everyday situations and when we celebrate. In the photos, we see those who preceded us, work now and those who are no longer among us. In this way we can bring back the memory of them.”

Barbara Planeta