MUSEUM HISTORY

The Museum opened its doors to the public on October 20, 2001. 

American Ambassador John Tefft and his wife Mariella, Kedainiai Regional Mayor Victoras Muntianas and many honorable quests from Vilnius and Kaunas participated at the opening ceremony.

In 2000, Janina Marks established a Not For Profit Institution in Kedainiai. The Institution purchased a 100-year-old building for use as a Museum. The buildings interior was modernized to meet contemporary Museum standards while the exterior was restored to reflect the historical significance of this fine old structure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memorial of Janina Monkute-Marks

 

Regina Gailiesiute

Chicago, IL
11/15/2010

 

My deepest condolences for all sons, their families, extended families and everyone, who was touched by JANINA.  My heartfelt gratitude to the family for giving me a GIFT to see JANINA in transition towards the other side of sun.

I was blessed for 20 years of sharing close times with Janina.  Her journey was diverse as colorful palette and focus to create was boundless.  Janina’s international travels sparked an interest in the folk art and people.  Once she said:  after visiting so many cultures I realized that we all have two eyes and two ears and we have the same feelings to be concerned, be content and dream… we are all the same.  She was ahead of the times to capture a human global village.  Janina’s respect to the human depth was expressed in her art and her ability to relate to the human soul.

I’ll miss our heart-to-heart conversations and giving me a feeling as a safe place to be.  Her home was always open to my mother and me.  Once I was thinking “where is home?” – Home is where someone is waiting for you.  In truth, there was always home in JANINA’s heart.
 

Janina was very inclusive of me, including into her family Thanksgivings.  During this time of Thanksgiving we are here to celebrate her remarkable life and THANK HER for sharing with us her grace, wisdom, vision, educational element and her sense for overall beauty.  Her passion to give back to the people of her homeland and to share her life experiences enriching us all.
 

Janina have had a great capacity to grow and was inspiring everyone else to do so by wishing well to everyone.  I’m grateful for her sensitivity and thoughtfulness.

As in the play “I never sang for my Father”, I’ll be talking to You in my thoughts and today may I say “from the heart may it go to the heart…”                                             

 

Regina, 11/15/2010

 

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MUSEUM GOAL

    To present cultural and educational commitment, to share art with a community at large: to organize lectures, literary evenings and musical concerts. To introduce variety and diversity of creativity, to participate in cultural life of Lithuania and Kėdainiai.

     

Board of directors

  • Janina MONKUTĖ-MARKS
    Daniel MARKS
    Peter MARKS
    Paul MARKS
    Sigi NAGYS
    Dalia MINKEVIČIENĖ-JAZDAUSKIENĖ

Honorary Board

    Mrs. Alma ADAMKIENĖ
    Virginija BALTRAITIENĖ
    (Vice-President of National Parliament)
    Viktoras MUNTIANAS
    Nijolė NAUJOKIENĖ
    (Mayor of Kėdainiai district)
    Julius LUKOŠEVIČIUS
    (Director of Culture and Education, Kedainiai )
    Egidijus GRIGAITIS
    (Director of Multiple Departments, Kedainiai)
    Egidijus ALEKSANDRAVIČIUS
    (Professor at Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas)
    Alexander R. DOMANSKIS
    (Attorney, USA)

     

    MUSEUM STAFF:


    Dalia MINKEVIČIENĖ- JAZDAUSKIENĖ
    (Executive Director)
    Getrūda Žiliūtė
    (Curator)
    Nijolė ZARECKIENĖ
    (Bookkeeper)