Following the Footsteps of the Gdańsk ILUSTRATOR Festival: A Journey Through Art, Design and Favourite City Spots

The ILUSTRATOR Festival is an annual event bringing together artists from Poland and abroad to showcase the diversity and creative potential of contemporary illustration. Conversations, the exchange of ideas and shared experiences are an integral part of the festival, but inspiration can be found well beyond its programme, too - in architecture, unexpected details, post-industrial interiors and places brought to life by passionate minds. We’ve selected a handful of addresses connected to the festival that offer a glimpse into Gdańsk’s more artistic side. 

CENTRUM ŚW. JANA 

We commence on Świętojańska Street, in the very heart of Gdańsk. Centrum św. Jana is one of those buildings that makes an impression before you even step inside. Its monumental Gothic structure, soaring vaults and brick walls transport you several centuries back in time. Nonetheless, one closer look reveals just how seamlessly history can coexist with contemporary culture. Once a 14th-century church, the building now hosts concerts, exhibitions and artistic events. It served as one of the venues for the ILUSTRATOR Festival as well. It’s hard to imagine a more inspiring setting for conversations about imagery, form and creativity. 

The architectural details are particularly striking. Gothic arches, intricate ornamentation and light filtering through tall windows create an extraordinary interplay of shape, light and shadow. Look a little closer, and you’ll begin to see just how much inspiration for contemporary art can be found in architecture that has stood for centuries. 

Centrum św. Jana, ul. Świętojańska 50 

UMAM 

There is a spot, just a few steps from Centrum św. Jana, on Grobla II Street- it’s called  UMAM, a favourite address among those with a sweet tooth. You’ll also find it inside Gdańsk’s Market Hall. This is a place where flavour, the quality of ingredrients and attention to detail stand as the core values. Beautifully crafted desserts can be just as captivating to the eye as works of art. Behind each sweet creation lies a combination of imagination, aesthetic sensibility and meticulous execution. Vivid colours, distinctive shapes and unexpected flavour pairings make a visit to UMAM a treat for more than just the palate. It’s the perfect stop for a moment of indulgence and a little pause before continuing your exploration of the city. 

UMAM, 12/14/C1 ul. Grobla II  and Market Hall, Dominikański Square 1

GRID ARTHUB 

From the city centre full of historic buildings, we move into an entirely different setting. The former Gdańsk Shipyard is now not only an important part of the city’s history, but also one of the most intriguing destinations on its contemporary cultural map. Here, on Niterów Street, you’ll find Grid ArtHub, an independent creative space that also figures on the ILUSTRATOR Festival map. Spanning more than 1,000 square metres of a former industrial hall, it houses artists’ studios, residency spaces and shared work areas. Its raw architecture, industrial details and workshop-like interiors provide a compelling backdrop for contemporary art. 

The surrounding shipyard landscape is equally fascinating. Monumental structures, brick buildings and steel elements evoke the industrial past of a place now beaming with a new creative energy. This isn’t the Gdańsk you know from the classic postcard – it is a city of unexpected perspectives, striking contrasts and architectural details that catch the eye of anyone drawn to photography, art and design. 

Grid ArtHub, ul. Niterów 3 

PURO GDAŃSK: THE ART OF CONNECTION ON GRANARY ISLAND 

Our walk comes to an end on Granary Island, right beside the Motława River, on Stągiewna Street. That is where PURO Gdańsk Stare Miasto is located. PURO was also listed on the festival’s itinerary, hosting a meeting with Gosia Herba, an internationally acclaimed Polish illustrator known for her distinctive style, which combines traditional techniques with a contemporary approach to form and colour. The discussion was moderated by Patryk Hardziej, a graphic designer and the founder of the ILUSTRATOR Festival. At PURO, however, art is not reserved for special occasions. It is an integral part of the brand’s identity, and the interiors of the Gdańsk hotel are filled with contemporary design and works by Polish artists. 

To round off our stroll, we step into Magari restaurant, where Italian philosophy of la dolce vita immidiately enters our souls. The menu celebrates the classic flavours of Italy, with antipasti, pasta, pizza, meat and fish dishes, as well as Italian desserts. After a day spent discovering Gdańsk’s artistic side, it’s time explore its culinary potential, too. 

PURO Gdańsk Stare Miasto and Magari, ul. Stągiewna 26