Transcarpathian Regional Museum of Art

The Transcarpathian Regional Museum of Art is a good museum that showcases a variety of modern paintings, including those created by children. The service at the museum is primarily conducted in Russian, but when asked to switch to the state language, they did not comply and instead requested to see a form of identification, such as a student card. The gallery itself is interesting and has a lot to offer, although one coworker, possibly the headmistress, left a negative impression. This coworker, an elderly woman in her 50s with excessive makeup, a very short skirt, a peculiar wig, and high heels, appeared unprofessional and behaved inappropriately. She followed visitors around, loudly sucking on a lollipop and shouting about expensive onions at the market. This behavior was unexpected and unsightly, especially for a state institution. Despite this, the museum is one of the few cultural centers in the small city, and it houses many beautiful paintings, sculptures, and icons. Visitors have the opportunity to see the originals and even take photos with them. The city itself is highly regarded, although the art museum left a horrifying impression. The icons from the 17th and 18th centuries are in a terrible state and desperately need restoration. They are displayed in a dilapidated room where visitors can easily touch them, as there are no barriers in place. The originals of renowned artists like Aivazovsky and Shishkin are plastered onto the walls, one picture on top of another. The museum has rare exhibits, but their condition is disgraceful. Interestingly, there is also a separate hall with modern artworks, which is spacious and well-maintained. The director of the museum should be held accountable for this stark contrast in exhibit conditions. However, despite the museum's shortcomings, it remains an important artistic center in the region, hosting interesting and captivating exhibitions. It is recommended to visit, although repairs and improvements to the infrastructure both within and around the museum are necessary to enhance the overall experience. Despite being the only visitor during their visit, the museum staff were welcoming and friendly, offering a discounted ticket in exchange for permission to take photographs. They even opened a hall and provided additional lighting. A staff member accompanied the visitor and was helpful without being overly intrusive. Furthermore, the museum demonstrates care for the condition of the paintings, their framing, and the overall state of the building. Although there is a lack of funds to properly maintain the museum, the efforts of the staff are commendable. Alongside the works of renowned artists like Tropinin, Vasylkivsky, Aivazovsky, Shishkin, and Trush, the calm and beautiful works of the Transcarpathian artist A. Erdely left a lasting impression. Overall, while there are areas for improvement, the Transcarpathian Regional Museum of Art is worth visiting and offers a unique artistic experience.