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Szopka Art
The szopka art form ("shop-kah") originated in the 1800s as elaborate sets for traveling puppet theaters in Cracow, Poland. Built from wood, cardboard and colored foil paper, the szopka incorporates whimsical interpretations of architectural motifs in elaborate structures of varying sizes. It was brought to America in a simplified style by Polish immigrants in the late 1800s, but declined by the 1970s.The art form is currently experiencing a resurgence in the United States thanks to the work of Pittsburgh artist David Motak.
There are basic prerequisites for szopka construction: that it be symmetrical, that it be constructed of lightweight materials and be ornately detailed. As they were originally meant to be carried, a szopka must also be three-sided with the back portion finished, but not detailed. Otherwise, artists are free to engage in their own whimsical renderings that fuse a variety of architectural motifs with the artist's personal style and creativity. Allegorical - often satirical - figures have replaced puppets in modern szopki and these figures are often motorized.
Artist Dave Motak
Dave is an award winning artist and an internationally respected szopka expert.
A former student of prominent Polish art historian Karl Estreicher, who promoted the szopka as a serious art form, Dave has traveled to Poland over 16 times since beginning his szopka project in 2003 to research szopka construction. This includes an apprenticeship with szopka master Maciej Moszew, funded by the Institute for Cultural Partnerships and an Artist Opportunity Grant from the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. Dave's pieces have been commissioned by, among others, the Frederik Meijer Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI, the Gagosian Gallery, New York and various private collectors. He was the first foreign artist to enter the annual Cracow Szopka Competition (2010). In 2011 he was invited to exhibit his works in Hong Kong, becoming the first artist to exhibit the szopka in Asia.His graphic work has recently been exhibited at the Polish Parliament in Warsaw. He has received numerous recognitions, including the Work of Art Award from the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council (2009).
In addition to his extensive work as a producing artist, Dave has popularized the szopka by producing instructional workshops both locally and nationally. Over 800 individuals have studied szopka creation under his tutelage and there is now a growing number of szopka practitioners in the United States. This experience has provided the artist with value experience in the importance of translating a traditional European art to a general (non-ethnic) American audience. As szopka building is not formally taught in Poland or elsewhere, Dave's efforts are unique and have established Pittsburgh as a major center of this burgeoning art form.
Dave remains fascinated with the challenge of adapting an art form with Old World references to reflect more of a contemporary American idiom. In that regard, over the past two years, he has devoted his creative time to developing his personal works, exploring new design techniques and building methods in order to develop his own distinctive, interpretive style.
Current Work
Dave creates both traditional and interpretive szopka pieces and is available to discuss commission work. Each piece is hand detailed and custom built so that various sections disassemble for convenient shipping and storage in individual containers that are designed for each szopka section. Dave also makes presentations to cultural and community groups and, on a limited bases, conducts szopka building workshops. To consult with Dave about commission work, making a presentation for your group or conducting a szopka workshop, please feel free to contact him at davidmotak@davidmotak.com or phone 412-835-0539. Hong Kong Exhibition Master Artist and Traditional Bearer Award "Byc Polakiem" Committee "David Motak Day" in the City of Pittsburgh
Prior to his departure for Hong Kong, Dave was honored for his cultural contributions to Western Pennsylvania with a special proclamation by the Pittsburgh City Council on Thursday, November 10, 2011 which was proclaimed "David Motak Day" in the City of Pittsburgh. Several friends, students and co-workers from the Polish Falcons of America were on hand to join Dave for this special recognition. Representing their respective organizations were David Seals, of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Joseph Kaminski representing the Polish National Alliance and the Polish American Congress and Lorene Vinski from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. We extend a special word of thanks to Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak and Councilman Bill Peduto for their support of the arts in Pittsburgh.  Click here to read the full Proclamation.
ACPC Honors Dave's Cultural Contributions
Dave was recently selected as the recipient of the prestigious Work of Art Award, presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. One of the highest recognitions that can be bestowed on an individual artist in Pennsylvania, the Working Artist Award recognizes an individual artist who has demonstrated exceptional innovation, boldness and creativity in advancing their art form. In presenting the Award, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council recognized Dave “as a leading promoter and practitioner of the Cracow Szopka art form in the United States, whose individual works, student workshops, szopka exhibitions and cultural events have shown tremendous leadership, innovation and drive in promoting his Pittsburgh-based initiative.” The Award was presented on Monday, June 1, 2009 at gala ceremonies at the Pittsburgh Opera’s new headquarters in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.
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Dave's journey as a szopka artist has lead him to his present attempt to translate this idiosyncratic traditional art to reflect a more contemporary, universal perspective. His first step was to devote several years of researching the art within its original context and studying from European practitioners. Secondly, he established his credentials as a legitimate szopka artist by becoming the first foreigner to enter the Annual Cracow Szopka Competition, earning a special award for Artistic Merit. Finally, Dave is currently expanding his artistic range by incorporating new design elements, styles and architectural interpretations that reflect more of a contemporary and thematically broader approach. 
