The Museum of Betina Wooden Shipbuilding presents the exhibition “Šime Šandrić – Through the Lines of Boats”, dedicated to one of Betina’s most prominent 20th-century boatbuilders, a master craftsman whose work connected traditional boatbuilding knowledge with technical design and the modern development of small wooden vessels. Šime Šandrić (1922–2014) learned the boatbuilding craft in the family boatyard of his grandfather Benjamin and his uncle Ljubo Uroda. His professional path led him from building traditional wooden boats characteristic of the Adriatic islands and coastal areas to designing fishing boats, sailing yachts, tourist vessels and large wooden sailing ships. During his decades of work at Betina Shipyard, and later as an independent designer, he participated in the realization of numerous projects for both domestic and international clients….
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Horst Kistner: Turn on the Lights!
In the space between photography, cinema, and classical painting emerges the world of Horst Kistner — a German artist whose works captivate through their striking atmosphere, meticulously crafted lighting, and quiet yet powerful narratives. The new exhibition Turn on the Lights! presents a selection of photographs that immerse viewers in timeless scenes inspired by the aesthetics of 1950s American cinema, American Realism painting, and the works of masters such as Caravaggio and Rembrandt. Owing to his extraordinary treatment of light, Kistner is often described as a “master of light” in the tradition of the old masters. Although working within the medium of photography, his creative process is closer to film directing than to conventional photography. Each work begins with a visual idea developed through sketches…
Wooden Shipbuilding in Vocational Education: Working Group Established for Amendments to the Existing Curriculum
A working meeting was held in the Municipality of Tisno on 20 March 2026, bringing together representatives of the profession, the education system and the local community to discuss amendments and supplements to the existing curriculum for the occupation Shipbuilder (Brodograditelj/Brodograditeljica), with a particular focus on the integration of wooden shipbuilding content. A representative of the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (ASOO) also attended the meeting and presented the procedural framework and possibilities for developing curricular changes. It was emphasised that the Agency has an advisory and expert role in the curriculum development process, while the adoption and implementation of changes depend on the competent ministry, as well as on the interest and initiative of schools and local stakeholders. In this…
Exhibition in preparation: Šime Šandrić: Life and Work
Preparations are underway for the exhibition “Šime Šandrić – Life and Work”, which will present the life and professional legacy of one of the most prominent boatbuilders from Betina in the second half of the 20th century. With these words, Šime Šandrić described the importance of small wooden battens – templates used to transfer the lines of a wooden hull – which in boatbuilding represented the very foundation of each master craftsman’s knowledge. “Daščice (small wooden boards). They are very important. They were never lent out – out of jealousy, so that no one else could take over your work.” Šime Šandrić (1922–2014) was a versatile master of wooden shipbuilding: a boatbuilder, technical manager, and designer. Over the course of several decades, he participated in…
Exhibition Opening: 60 Years of the Ćiro Shipyard
Next Wednesday, July 30 at 8:30 PM, we are opening a retrospective exhibition dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Ćiro Shipyard, founded in 1964 by one of the most renowned shipbuilders from Betina, Čedomir Burtina Ćiro. The Ćiro Shipyard was founded in 1964 by shipbuilder Čedomir Burtina Ćiro. By building a shed on a piece of land he had created and prepared himself, he laid the foundations for an important and enduring shipyard. In that workshop, he launched his first boat, marking the beginning of a life devoted to wood, boats, and craftsmanship. Over the decades, Ćiro left behind a legacy of exceptionally crafted wooden boats of various types and designs. Each boat bore the distinctive signature of a master craftsman while being tailored…
Exhibition “Shipbuilders’ Wives” at the Croatian Maritime Museum in Split!
The Shipbuilders’ Wives On Wednesday, June 5, 2025, our traveling exhibition “The Shipwrights’ Wives” was opened at the Croatian Maritime Museum in Split. The exhibition sheds light on the invisible and often overlooked contributions of women within traditional boatbuilding families. While they did not build boats themselves, women were an integral part of the everyday life in the shipyard — they handled and transported wood, prepared materials for construction, painted hulls, took part in launchings, organized shared meals and events, all while caring for the household, children, elders, and farmland. Curated by Kate Šikić Čubrić, director of the Betina Museum of Wooden Shipbuilding, the exhibition presents life in a shipwright’s family from a woman’s perspective. Her curatorial concept emphasizes how women’s presence — though barely…
Exhibition: Journeys
Journeys Last Saturday, to mark International Museum Day, our museum ceremoniously opened a new thematic exhibition dedicated to journeys – movement through space and time, encounters, memories, and personal stories that shape our identities. This exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the meaning of travel – not just physical journeys, but also inner, symbolic, and emotional ones. Museums, as we have once again affirmed, are the starting point for such journeys – without borders, without passports, without time constraints. We extend special thanks to the artists who participated in the program and whose contributions brought unique energy and emotion to the exhibition space. Our sincere gratitude also goes to our partners from 90-60-90 / Platform for Contemporary Art and the Punkt association, for their dedication,…
Night of Museums in Betina: Visible and Invisible Worlds!
Night of Museums in Betina: Visible and Invisible Worlds! Unveiling Hidden Stories and Artifacts! This is our 10th Night of Museums in Betina! In collaboration with our loyal friends, volunteers, and partners, and following this year’s theme, we have prepared an exciting program. This year, we are joined by the women’s choir KUD Zora from Betina, MNK Kalafat, the Betina quiz scene, many students from Murterski Škoji and Vjekoslav Kaleb elementary schools, one small creative first-grader, and many, many dear collaborators and guests. In line with this year’s theme, we are unveiling what has been hidden from view and presenting interesting items from our museum storage. In each of the rooms where the museum collections are on display, we will reveal intriguing objects from our…
Golden Certificate of the Sunflower Award for Rural Tourism
Sunflower Award for Croatian Rural Tourism / The Sunflower Award We are thrilled to announce that our museum is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Sunflower Award for Croatian Rural Tourism! We won the award in the category of “Active Tourism in Rural Areas.” This recognition highlights our contribution to preserving cultural heritage and promoting rural tourism in Croatia, which fills us with great pride. Through our activities, exhibitions, and workshops both within and outside the museum, we work tirelessly to preserve the tradition of Betina wooden shipbuilding. In doing so, we contribute to the sustainable development of our region and enhance its tourism offerings. This award is a testament to our dedication to community work and serves as further motivation to continue our efforts….