Šalnė Balčiūnaitė ^{Emerging artist}

Artist is based in: Lithuania

Šalnė Balčiūnaitė is a stained glass artist who graduated from the Site-Specific Art bachelor’s programme at Vilnius Academy of Arts in 2026, specialising in stained glass. Before entering VAA (Vilnius Academy of Arts), she studied at the Justinas Vienožinskis Art School and later attended preparatory courses at Vilnius Academy of Arts. In 2022, she was admitted to the university on a state-funded study place. During her studies, Šalnė developed her practice in stained glass, glass painting, and restoration through various workshops and professional internships in Lithuania and abroad. In 2023, she completed an Erasmus+ internship at LP Atelier de Vitrail in Millau, France, where she gained experience in restoration and traditional glass painting techniques. In 2025, she carried out a summer research internship supported by the Research Council of Lithuania, investigating the compatibility of different glass glazes and their application possibilities in stained glass creation.

Šalnė will continue her stained glass studies at a specialised stained glass school in Germany, further expanding her knowledge and developing her artistic practice. Her work explores human experiences, inner states, and behavioural patterns, using stained glass as a medium that creates a connection between material, space, and the viewer.