In The Gallery of Young People's Art Works we opened, in the beginning of the October, an exhibition of icons of Alimpije Košarkoski, painter from Šoštanj. Exhibition was opened by Mihailo Lišanin, founder of the gallery, and few words about the author where spoken by Vlado Gavriloski, the president of Macedonian Cultural Society “Vatroslav Oblak”.
In foot of Jablanica, not so far away from Ohrid lake, lays old village of Vevčani. In the village is a church of St. Nikola and in there Alimpije had his first close encounter with icons. Icons and colours, above all red, black and gold, made an unforgettable impression on him. This admiration and watching of icon painters at work stir up the desire in him to also make something of such greatness. He early left his village in search of work and new adventures. Different country and different habits brought new challenges. He tried himself as a sculptor and few years he made sculptures on the theme of SFRJ. But time took care for changes. It deleted everything and left was only the nostalgia of former common country. As he later received, as a gift, the brushes he revived his desire for icon painting, which he carried from his childhood. He was in front of challenge. Because in orthodox religion every family from generation to generation worships their own saint Alimpije first painted the icon of St. Nikola. Later followed by many others. He found encouragement and mentorship at his old friend, painter Goce Kaladžijski. Painting of icons means for Alimpije an escape from everyday life and a contact with magnificent altars which he once left.