Slavko Oblak Gallery opens its doors to visitors

On Wednesday, 5 August 2026, the Slavko Oblak Gallery will open at the Mrak Homestead, introducing a new cultural venue dedicated to the life and creative oeuvre of the Rečica-born sculptor.

The gallery is housed in a carefully restored former barn, renovated by the Bled Culture Institute. With the opening of the gallery, the property, which had stood abandoned for more than twenty years, is being given a new purpose. The project connects the homestead’s rich architectural and residential heritage with a contemporary presentation of Slavko Oblak’s art, displayed both inside the gallery and throughout its garden.

The gallery will be open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Lea Ferjan, MA, Director of the Bled Culture Institute, said: “For me, the creation of the Slavko Oblak Gallery was much more than simply managing a cultural project. The entire process of working with the artist and his wife, Irma, was filled with powerful emotions, personal memories, trust and a sincere desire to provide the artist’s life’s work with the home it truly deserves.

It would be difficult to imagine a more fitting purpose for the Mrak Homestead. Slavko’s family roots can be traced directly to this homestead, while he spent his childhood on a nearby farm, in surroundings that profoundly shaped him both as a person and as an artist. Even today, he and his wife remain closely connected to the land, nature and the rhythm of life on their self-sufficient farm. Their bond, modesty, warmth and exceptional appreciation of beauty have also touched me deeply.

Slavko Oblak has donated his life’s work to his birthplace. Such a decision requires tremendous generosity and trust. I therefore see his gift not only as an extraordinary artistic legacy, but also as a homecoming, a return to his family roots, memories and the place from which he drew his inspiration.

I believe the Slavko Oblak Gallery will become one of Bled’s most beautiful, sincere and authentic stories. It is a story in which art, family love and memories intertwine with the heritage of rural life, fruit growing, beekeeping and the everyday lives of the people who have shaped this Alpine landscape over generations.

I invite visitors to experience the Slavko Oblak Gallery in all its authenticity. They will discover a wealth of fascinating works while also finding a place for contemplation, a connection with nature and an encounter with sculptural art captured in the warmth and timelessness of bronze.”

The new gallery presents a comprehensive overview of the artistic oeuvre of academic sculptor Slavko Oblak, ranging from his earliest sculptural experiments to his most recent works. Approximately 400 sculptures of various sizes are on display. The collection is complemented by six monumental sculptures positioned in the gallery garden, while two additional works welcome visitors at the entrance. A special place in the collection is reserved for a wooden rocking horse that is more than 90 years old. Made for the artist by his father, it represents a treasured personal memory. During their visit, guests will also be able to watch the film Slavko Oblak: Hands of Nature, which tells the artist’s story and explores his connection with the land and with the childhood he spent on a nearby farm.