TEHRAN – The Third Grand Exhibition of Visual Arts by Veteran Artists will open at Niavaran Cultural Center on Friday, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience masterworks across painting, sculpture, calligraphy, photography, and traditional Iranian arts. 
The event, organized by the Institute of Veteran Artists in collaboration with the Art Credit Fund and Niavaran Cultural Center, will run until November 20.
Abbas Azimi, CEO and board member of the Institute of Veteran Artists, announced that this year’s exhibition has drawn remarkable participation. 
“Based on the call for submissions, we expect more than 100 veteran artists to showcase over 200 works,” he said. As of this week, 104 artists have confirmed participation, each contributing two pieces, amounting to a total of 208 artworks.
Azimi emphasized that the exhibition is not a curated competition but rather a celebration of the creative legacy of Iran’s senior artists. 
“We do not select or exclude works. Every piece submitted by our members will be displayed, honoring the artistic journey of each participant,” he noted.
Highlighting the difference between this edition and the previous two, Azimi explained that the focus this year is on presenting new works rather than repeated pieces. Yet, beyond artistic appreciation, he pointed to the show’s growing role in the cultural economy. 
“This exhibition creates a valuable platform for collectors, gallery owners, hotel operators, and even public institutions like banks and hospitals to invest in fine art,” he said.
All artworks are priced by the artists themselves, and intermediaries involved in the sale process will receive at least 15 percent of the transaction value — a rate negotiable directly with the artists. 
“Our goal is to support both the creative spirit and the economic sustainability of these masters,” Azimi added.
Established in 2012 under the approval of Iran’s Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, the Institute of Veteran Artists operates under the patronage of the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance. 
The organization now includes more than 1,000 members, 95 percent of whom hold the First-Class Art Medal, equivalent to a PhD in artistic excellence.
The exhibition will be open to the public from 10 a.m. on weekdays and from 2 p.m. on holidays, until 7 p.m. daily. 
Visitors can explore a rich collection of artworks that not only embody decades of mastery but also serve as living bridges between Iran’s artistic heritage and its contemporary expression.