The exhibition traces the history of two significant private Latvian diaspora collections: the Klāvs Sipoliņš Fund, established in Ottawa, Canada by Leopolds Sipoliņš and the Douglas Collection, founded in Cleveland, Ohio, USA by Teofils Cirķelis.
05.09.2026–14.03.2027
OPENING RECEPTION: 05.09 16.00 – All are welcome
For the first time, PLMC is mounting a show that examines the role of private collectors in the Latvian diaspora. The exhibition highlights the collections initiated by Leopolds Sīpoliņš (1921–2013) in Canada and Teofils Cirķelis (1905–1987) in the United States. These are two of the most important collections of Latvian diaspora art ever assembled—now known as the Klāvs Sīpoliņš Fund Collection and the Douglas Collection (Teofils’ daughter, Gunta, married Andris Douglas and continued to expand the collection).
Both collectors were active in their exile communities. Sīpoliņš, a prominent builder in Canada, organized exhibitions in Latvia in 1980 and 1987 and created the Klāvs Sīpoliņš Fund — a scholarship supporting Latvian artists, named in memory of his late son, Klāvs. Cirķelis, an attorney by training, was instrumental in the creation of ALA (the American Latvian Association) and in organizing the Song and Dance Festivals in North America. Both collectors developed lasting relationships with Latvian artists beyond the borders of their adopted homelands, collecting works created in the United States, Australia, Canada, and beyond.
Anda Sīpoliņa, Leopolds’ daughter, has been an ardent supporter of PLMC. She underwrote the creation of our second gallery — named in honor of her father, and the site of this exhibition — and has donated many artworks from her family’s collection to PLMC’s permanent collection. Julie Locke, Teofils’ granddaughter, donated most of her family’s collection to PLMC in 2024. Some of these works have already been exhibited, but many will be on display for the first time.
In this fourth decade of Latvia’s regained independence, private collectors have taken on an important role. For half a century under Soviet rule, private collecting was an entirely foreign concept. This exhibition highlights the special relationship between collector and artist. PLMC is proud to present artworks assembled not by committee or jury, but by the tastes of two families who filled their homes with Latvian diaspora art, supported their communities by investing in that art, and helped preserve this artistic legacy.
ABOVE, LEFT: Oskars Deklavs (1910–2007), Australia. City Construction, 1982, Oil on canvas, 60 x 50 cm (detail). Donated by the Klāvs Sīpoliņš Foundation. | RIGHT: Visvaldis Reinholds (1924–2005), Canada, Untitled, 1979. Oil on canvas, 110 x 110 cm. Donated by Julie Locke on behalf of the Douglass Collection.