Festival Art Stays, tokrat že triindvajseti po vrsti, si je skozi leta pridobil ugled v tujini in doma in danes sodi med najpomembnejše manifestacije sodobne, predvsem likovne umetnosti v Sloveniji in v tem delu Evrope. Ptuj obiščejo številni likovni umetniki, kustosi, glasbeniki, galeristi in predstavniki fundacij. Organizatorji – Kulturno-umetniško društvo ART STAYS – povabijo umetnike, da ustvarjajo v zvezi z aktualnimi tematikikami, letos je rdeča nit PRAH: Kajti prah si in v prah se boš vrnil. Prizorišča 23. edicije festivala bodo Galerija mesta Ptuj, Dominikanski samostan, Miheličeva galerija, Ptujski grad, vzhodni stolp Ptujskega gradu, Galerija Luna, Razstavišče Knjižnice Ivana Potrča Ptuj, Galerija Magistrat, Ozka galerija, grad Borl, Galerija FO.VI, razstavišče Kreativnega centra Breg, oder na Slovenskem trgu ter trgi in ulice starega mestnega jedra. Galerista in direktorja festivala Jernej Forbici in Marika Vicari z letošnjo temo le nadaljujeta razmisleke o odnosu med človekom in okoljem, ki sta jih zastavila že pred leti, pri tem pa ju zanimajo tako možnosti kot ranljivosti. Pravita, da je »negotova in pogosto krhka narava prihodnosti odvisna od naše sposobnosti skrbnega upravljanja naravnih virov in postprodukcije, kar odraža našo nenehno željo po spreminjanju in preoblikovanju sveta«. The Art Stays Festival, now in its 23rd edition, has over the years built a strong reputation both in Slovenia and abroad, and is today considered one of the most important events dedicated to contemporary — especially visual — art in Slovenia and this part of Europe. Each year, Ptuj hosts a wide array of visual artists, curators, musicians, gallerists, and representatives of foundations. Organized by the Art Stays Cultural and Artistic Association, the festival invites artists to respond to timely and thought-provoking themes — this year’s edition revolves around the central motif DUST, with the guiding idea: “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” The 2025 edition will take place at multiple venues across Ptuj and its surroundings, including Ptuj City Gallery, the Dominican Monastery, Mihelič Gallery, Ptuj Castle and its eastern tower, Luna Gallery, the Ivan Potrč Library exhibition space, Magistrat Gallery, Ozka Gallery, Borl Castle, FO.VI Gallery, the exhibition space of the Kreativni center Breg, the stage at Slovenski trg, and various squares and streets of the historic city center. Festival curators and directors Jernej Forbici and Marika Vicari continue their exploration of the complex relationship between humans and the environment — a curatorial direction they have pursued for years — focusing on both its potential and fragility. As they note, “The uncertain and often fragile nature of the future depends on our ability to carefully manage natural resources and post-production processes, reflecting our constant desire to change and reshape the world.”