29th Sept 2026

On Tuesday 29^th of September, representatives from Kalundborg’s business, educational and cultural communities gathered at Kalundborg Refinery for the presentation of the Condensate Award 2026. Accompanied by a prize of DKK 40,000, the award recognises individuals or organisations that have made a recognisable contribution to culture, sport or community life in the local area.

Artist Grete Balle has been selected as the recipient of the Condensate Award 2026 in recognition of her more than 75 years of contribution to visual and textile art.

“Grete Balle has quite literally been a prominent figure and pioneering artist for generations. When she celebrated her 100^th birthday earlier this year, she was rightly celebrated, including here in Kalundborg, where she has pursued her artistic practice since 1969. Although she no longer works at the same pace as in earlier years, Grete Balle remains an active and dedicated artist to this day, “ says Martin Damm, Mayor of Kalundborg Municipality and Chairman of the Award Committee, when announcing this year’s recipient.

A Lifetime Devoted to Art

Painting, weaving and ceramics. Throughout her career, Grete Balle has moved effortlessly between a range of artistic disciplines, never allowing herself to be confined by a single form of expression. Her experimental approach and commitment to innovation have established her as an influential figure within contemporary visual and textile art for more than 75 years, not only in Denmark but also internationally.

Grete Balle, who made her artistic debut at the Artists’ Autumn Exhibition in 1950, celebrated another significant milestone earlier this year when she turned 100. The occasion was marked by several special exhibitions in Denmark and abroad. Kalundborg also joined in the celebrations, through the exhibition ‘On the Occasion Of’ at Bispegården and the mural ‘The Wave, the Bird and the Light’, which will continue to adorn Solskinspladsen in the heart of the town for years to come.

Despite a long and impressive career, Grete Balle’s creative curiosity and artistic ambition remain undiminished:

“My driving force is constant transformation, and for that reason my art is in a state of continual evolution. Curiosity never grows old, nor does the desire to express the unspoken. Art is both a sanctuary and a language that enables us to communicate when words are no longer enough, “ says Grete Balle upon receiving the award from Kurt Bjerre, who assumed the position of Managing Director of Kalundborg Refinery in September 2026.

“It is a great honour to uphold this proud tradition of giving back to the local community of Kalundborg on which we, as a company, depend so heavily. My sincere congratulations to Grete Balle, not only on receiving the Condensate Award 2026, but especially for her artistic achievements over nearly eight decades, “ says Kurt Bjerre.

About the Condensate Award

The Condensate Award was presented for the first time in 1995 in connection with the opening of the condensate refinery. The award is presented to an individual or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to cultural activities, including sports and youth initiatives in the local community, or to an individual or organisation that has achieved exceptional results through art or sport.

The recipient is selected by an award committee consisting of Martin Damm, Mayor of Kalundborg Municipality, Trine Fogh Lauridsen, Principal of Kalundborg Gymnasium, and Jakob Erhardt Pedersen, Local Editor of Sjællandske Nyheder. Previous recipients include Fællesskabets Hus in Høng, 5 Tårns Motion and Amfi Vestsjælland.