Exhibition Josef Šimůnek – 100 Years Since Birth

The Regional Museum in Louny presents an exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Josef Šimůnek – an academic sculptor, graphic artist, and longtime director of the Louny museum. Šimůnek was born on April 25, 1926, and studied at the State Central School of Housing Industry in Prague and at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design. Beyond his artistic practice, he founded the Benedikt Rejta Gallery in Louny and led the museum for over 17 years, overseeing its relocation to the Sokol House and dedicating himself to archaeology, heritage conservation, and restoration work.

The exhibition focuses on this lesser-known, "non-artistic" aspect of his career. As a conservator-sculptor, he rescued numerous wooden and stone sculptures throughout northwestern Bohemia. In 2006, he was awarded Honorary Citizenship of the City of Louny. The exhibition is curated by Bořek Zasadil, with texts on the sculptor's work by Hana Gruntová Kolingerová. A special commemorative edition of the former weekly newspaper Svobodný Hlas was published for the occasion, and a memorial plaque was unveiled on the house in Česká Street in Louny where Šimůnek had his studio.

The opening ceremony took place on April 21 at 5:00 PM, featuring performances by students of the Louny Music School, including his great-granddaughter. The exhibition runs from April 21 to June 21, 2026.