Justyna Palka Design

I am pleased to inform you that another outstanding Visual Communication student from SAIC has been nominated for the Justyna Scholarship award.
Enclosed is 2025-26 Justyna Palka Memorial Scholarship Report, featuring Megan Sim (BFA 2026) , whose creative journey has been supported by our generosity. This year, our philanthropy supported Megan as she developed her voice, expanded her practice, and prepared for a meaningful, lasting design career.

Today is your birthday, Justysia. A sad day, as every year. We love you and remember you forever. Your statue in the cemetery has been returned to its rightful place after being stolen. This makes us happy.
„The statue is beautiful and perfectly reflects your soul. One could not imagine a better monument, wrote Carola Kupfer. The artist Jolanta Izabela Pawlak portrays our beautiful Justyna in the form of a statue that makes her timeless and immortal at the same time.“

On November 15th, a reunion was held for the award-winning students from the Visual Communication Department at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Past award winners gathered with teachers, friends, and Justyna's former colleagues at Ogilvy and Mather. Ogilvy and Mather established the Justyna Palka Memorial Scholarship and continues to support the fund along with the Palka family and friends. Polish and international delicacies provided by Montrose Deli and presented by the friendly, Ania. Guest were treated entertainment of the beautiful voice of Ania Wloch accompanied by Jan Zienko on guitar. We reminisced about Justyna and her achievements. The names of all the award-winning students were memorialized on a special banner, which also featured Justyna's face, as seen in a painting by Ken Roberts from Detroit in 2011. Krzysztof Babiracki photographed the entire event.

INFO:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GxH4X2RD5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

After almost eleven months — since the statue was stolen in early January and later recovered — it has now been carefully restored and shines once again in its former glory.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who helped preserve the memory of Justyna. 💛

Good morning to all of Justysia's friends. As you know, on the night of January 1st to 2nd, 2025, my daughter's sculpture was stolen from the cemetery. Thanks to the installed GPS, we quickly tracked down the thief. Unfortunately, the thief (graveyard hyena) managed to cut off 50 kg of bronze. The investigation took a long time. The artist is currently working on reconstructing the sculpture. The court case against the thief and his companions will begin soon. I will keep you updated. In the meantime, warm regards, Justyna's mother.

We’re proud to continue supporting the next generation of creatives through the Justyna Palka Memorial Scholarship at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

This year, the scholarship was awarded to Reina Kitamura (BFA 2025) — a talented and passionate student in Visual Communication Design. Her work is a beautiful reminder of Justyna’s spirit and the power of design to move and inspire.

Congratulations, Reina! We’re honored to be part of your journey.

😢Something terrible happened😢

My dear Justysia ❤️
Today is your birthday. 40th! I keep thinking and imagining how we would celebrate this day together. You, beautiful and smiling, probably surrounded by your children and husband, and all of us surprising you with new ideas and gifts. It would be a wonderful day! I often think about you, I tell you about different events, about your nieces A, L and our little boy, your nephew L! How much fun you would have playing with him. He is amazing!
I miss you very, very much!
Celebrate where you are! And I:
"I will wait on the border of dreams and desires,
where heaven and earth meet,
where love beats the rhythm, the moon kisses the sun,
I will wait with a steaming cup full of love.."
Your Mom
Justyna's portrait was painted by Roman Zakrzewski
Foto - Master Krzysztof Babiracki

📢 Exciting News! Our latest 2022–23 Philanthropic Impact report is now available! Thanks to our amazing alums, parents, faculty, staff, and friends, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) continues to remove barriers for the next generation of art and design leaders.

🌟 On page 19, you’ll find a special entry about my motivation to support students. Your success is my passion!

Discover how your generosity, which totaled over $9.3 million last year, is making a difference through the Make Way initiative, focused on student access, equity, and affordability. We’re on track to surpass our ambitious $25 million goal by July 2024!

Check it out here: https://issuu.com/saic1866/docs/113633_report_forissuu

My love, I think about you all the time and I try to keep my thoughts in check. Today it's been 13 years since you left us. My heart is still pounding. I'm trying to live and do a lot of projects. Your nieces have grown into beautiful teenagers, and your nephew is simply amazing. How much fun you would have playing with him. I have a bedspread with me that I gave you on your 18th birthday. Selected photos from your childhood. You were special. Looking at the photos brings back snapshots of those years. Happy and carefree. Today I smile at these memories. And I can't even imagine what happy days you would prepare for us today. I miss you so much. I will always love you.❤️
Foto-Dariusz Lachowski