A theme art exhibition “With faith in art” was opened to the Independence Day of Ukraine in A.A.Osmerkin Art-Memorial Museum. Works by famous Kirovograd painters – the laureates of Regional Alexander Osmerkin Award in fine arts and study of art in 2005-2012: People’s artist of Ukraine M.Nadezhdin, Honoured artists of Ukraine S.Shapovalo, A.Yanev and G.Gnatuk, Honoured workers of culture of Ukraine L.Bondarya and V.Ostapenka, members of the National Union of artists of Ukraine V.Kuryanov, F.Lagno, F.Polonsky, A.Dvorski, L.Kiryanova, A.Nadezhdin, I.Smychek, V.Frenchko. O.Zhuravel (Nadezhdina), painter S.Nikolenko are shown at the exhibition. The works brightly present creative work of every artist and are an adornment of museum collection of modern fine art.
   Regional Alexander Osmerkin Award in fine arts and study of art was founded by Kirovograd Regional Council (Resolution ¹ 409, April 19, 2005) on application of Kirovograd Regional Organization of the National Union of artists of Ukraine.
   The Prize is awarded for:
     - significant achievements in fine arts and creation of impressive works of art in different genres of fine arts (painting, graphic arts, sculpture, monumental art, theatrical-decorating art) that would strengthen national tradition, preserved the foundations of classical art, introduced new forms in fine arts, adapted to the present, were created on a high professional level and have received wide public recognition in Kirovograd region and beyond;
     - considerable investigation of the development of fine arts in Kirovograd region, promotion and consolidation of the achievements of our region.
   The award is established in three nominations: "national tradition", "modern tendencies", "study and history of arts".
   Annualy on December 8, Alexander Osmerkin's birthday, winners are awarded the title of "Laureate of regional Alexander Osmerkin Award in fine arts and study of art", they also receive certificate, pecuniary reward, honorary prize of Regional Council and Regional State Administration - statuette of "Steppe eagle". The award encourages artists, art critics, historians of fine art, regional ethnographers to active creative work and also promotes popularization of creative achievements of art workers of Kirovograd region in Ukraine and abroad.
   From 2005 and 2012 laureates of the award in the nominations "national tradition", "modern tendencies", "study and history of arts" became: in 2005 – Honoured artist of Ukraine A.Yanev, People’s artist of Ukraine and Honoured art worker of Ukraine M.Nadezhdin, Honoured journalist of Ukraine B.Kumanskiy; in 2006 – Honoured artists of Ukraine S.Shapovalov and G.Gnatuk, regional ethnographer V.Bosko; in 2007 – members of the National Union of artists of Ukraine F.Polonski and A.Dvorski, Doctor of art history, Professor, full member of Academy of Art of Ukraine A.Fedoruk; in 2008 – Honoured art worker of Ukraine L.Bondar, member of the National Union of artists of Ukraine A.Nadezhdin, Candidate of Historical Sciences A.Bosyi; in 2009 – members of the National Union of artists of Ukraine V.Frenchko and I.Smychek, author and editor of creative and biographical albums-manuals “Artists of Ukraine”, member of the National Union of artists of Ukraine S.Zhuravel; in 2010 – Honoured worker of culture of Ukraine, member of the National Union of artists of Ukraine V.Ostapenko, members of the National Union of artists of Ukraine V.Kiryanov and A.Nadezhdin; in 2011 – members of the National Union of artists of Ukraine L.Kiryanova and F.Lagno, Candidate of study of art E.Kirichenko; in 2012 – painter S.Nikolenko, member of the National Union of artists of Ukraine O.Zhuravel (Nadezhdina), Honoured worker of education of Ukraine, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, dean of the Art Department of V.Vynnychenko Kirovograd State Pedagogical University L.Babenko.
   There are more than 40 paintings, graphic works, sculptures and theatre sets of Kirovograd artists – the laureates of the award in the nominations “national tradition” and “modern tendencies” which reflect not only typical features of individual creative style of painters, but also common tendencies that are characteristic of the development of Ukrainian fine art. In their works Kirovograd artists reflect a special, unique colouration of Ukrainian sunny palette. Landscapes, still lifes and theme compositions give an atmosphere of feast of art.