Václav Chad Gallery

The V. Chad Gallery is housed in the city’s oldest building, the Zlín Château, set within a municipal park. Since 2014, it has operated in sensitively restored interiors as an exhibition platform for modern and contemporary art. Its exhibitions alternate between painting, printmaking, sculpture, glass, design and photography. The gallery not only focuses on the work of contemporary artists but, above all, on the works of graduates of the Baťa School of Art, which significantly shaped Zlín’s cultural life.

The gallery is named after an exceptionally talented painter and a key figure associated with the Zlín School of Art, which was founded in 1939 by Jan Antonín Baťa. Even during his studies, Václav Chad stood out for his energy, artistic maturity and personal courage. His work drew of expressionism, cubism and surrealism, quickly developing into a remarkably mature and distinctive style. During the Second World War he became actively involved in the anti-fascist resistance. In February 1945, he was shot by the Gestapo while attempting to escape near the School of Art building (today the headquarters of the Police of the Czech Republic) on T. G. Masaryk Square. He was just 21 years old. In his memory, the Regional Gallery of Fine Arts awards the Václav Chad Prize as part of the Zlín Salon. A small memorial with his bust stands nearby, close to the Tomáš Baťa Memorial.

The gallery brings modern art closer to the public through the work of important Zlín artists as well as contemporary emerging talents. Since its founding, it has held more than eighty exhibitions, focusing on work that is not only visually compelling but also offers reflection on the world around us. At the same time, it recalls significant graduates of the Zlín School of Art, including Václav Chad, Jan Rajlich, Miroslav Šimorda, František Chmelař, Vincenc Makovský, Slavoj Kovařík and many others. By connecting their legacy with the work of today’s artists, the gallery naturally bridges history with the contemporary art scene.

Besides the works of School of Art graduates mentioned above, the gallery has also presented exhibitions by leading figures of the Czech art scene. For example, the gallery has showcased the work of Adriana Šimotová, Lubomír Jarcovják, Lenka Trčková, Michaela Spružinová, Petr Nikl, Natálie Schmidtová and Theodor Pištěk. Collective projects ranging from photography exhibitions to presentations by graduates of the Glass Design Studio and others are also featured. These new creative impulses bring a fresh, youthful energy to the gallery and offer a diverse perspective on contemporary art.