On 2 September at 6:30 PM, the exhibition “Beyond the Page. Bulgarian Illustrators”, a project by the Cult Lab Foundation, will officially open at UniCredit Studio Gallery in Sofia.
Following its international presentation at the 63rd Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the exhibition will introduce Bulgarian audiences to 12 contemporary illustrators and their work on new children’s books published in 2025 and early 2026. Showcasing the diversity of visual approaches in contemporary Bulgarian illustration, the exhibition will remain on view at UniCredit Studio until 12 October 2026.
“Beyond the Page” explores the diversity of visual languages and individual artistic styles in contemporary Bulgarian illustration, as well as the many ways in which images interpret, complement and expand the written word. The selection brings together both established artists and illustrators presenting debut projects: Yassen Grigorov, Stella Dreis, Vesselin Pramatarov, Vyara Boyadzhieva, Kalina Muhova, Martin Stanev, Mila Yaneva-Tabakova, Albena Limoni, Mira Miroslavova, Antonia Mechkueva, Kristina Tuzharova and Mihaela Angelova.
“Beyond the Page. Bulgarian Illustrators” is an exhibition for both children and adults, designed to appeal to audiences interested in art and illustration as well as to families. The works invite young visitors to discover characters, details and distinct visual worlds, while offering parents an opportunity to share with their children an encounter with art and books beyond their familiar format.
“Our aim is to turn illustration into an experience that can be explored, narrated and discovered together,” says Elena Mosholova-Georgieva, Chair of the Cult Lab Foundation.
The exhibition and graphic design were developed by the independent design agency Post Studio. The visual identity is built around an illustration by Stella Dreis from the book Obacht! (Attention!).
The project “Beyond the Page. Bulgarian Illustrators” by Cult Lab Foundation is realised with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria and with the participation of professionals from the fields of children’s publishing, animation, illustration and cultural management, including Vessela Dancheva, Emil Markov, Anna Hadzhimisheva, Silvia Choleva, architect Nikolay Marinov, Ivaylo Chuchkov, Lilyana Dzhagarova.
Exhibition Information:
Official opening: 2 September 2026, 6:30 PM
Venue: UniCredit Studio Gallery, 7 Sveta Nedelya Square, Sofia
Exhibition dates: 2 September – 12 October 2026
Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM 6:30 PM
