The *Naissance* Spring Exhibition at the Victoria Olt Gallery was the very first group exhibition held at our location on Viru 20.

What made this exhibition truly unique was its exclusive focus on showcasing Estonian artists, highlighting the incredible talent emerging from Estonia's art scene.

Naissance—which means "birth" in French—marks the beginning of something new. Many may be more familiar with the term Renaissance, meaning "rebirth," but this exhibition was truly a moment of firsts: the birth of new traditions, new connections, and new creative paths.

This exhibition laid the foundation for what would become our tradition of hosting group exhibitions, bringing together a vibrant community of artists. It also marked the beginning of many lasting relationships with talented Estonian artists, several of whom—like Margus Kontus, Ana Kurist, Marita Liivak, and Eliis Kuusk—have gone on to hold their own solo exhibitions at the gallery.

Even today, we continue to collaborate with most of the emerging artists who took part in the first Naissance. Their growth and evolution have paralleled the gallery's own journey, making this exhibition a cornerstone of our history.