Janis Berkis

Jelgava

Janis was born in 1944 ,in Jelgava. He attended the Abgunste elementary school and the felgava Secondary School No. 1. He has learned skills in many different professions. After graduating from secondary school, he studied at Riga Building School No. 2, and later learned the turner speciality. As time passed, he understood that he enjoyed working with wood, so he began to attend the Riga People's University and, having completed studies there, became a master of wood-carving. He has participated in various exhibitions in Latvia, and many of his works can be found in other countries (the USA, Canada, Holland, Sweden and
others). He has worked in different professions and places, and most recently at the Stafgene elementary school in Jaunsvirlauka. At first, he brought pupils together in a wood-working circle, and later became a teacher of woodworking.
He inspired enthusiasm and love for the work in his pupils. One of them, Rihards Sturme, not only gradu, ated from the Riga Crafts School as the best student of
his year, but also received a journeyman diploma of styled furniture maker, issued by the Latvian Chamber of Crafts. Janis made the beautiful wooden sculptures of the composition "Rūku laukums" (Dwarves Yard) next to the Stafgene elementary school, and the children like them very much. The territory around the school is also decorated with the master's wooden sculpture of an owl, which is the school's symbol as well as a symbol of knowledge.

"Ataugas" Jaunsvirlaukas pagasts, Jelgavas novads, Latvija
+371 22339724