There is a large and vibrant arts community on Paros. This page is a collection of articles about varied aspects of local artists, galleries, schools and beautiful subject matter.
Painting on Paros
Picture perfect painting with pizzazz on our Paros paradise--It is easy to get carried away with the joy of living on a Greek isle.
The air and light of Greece has attracted artists for a longer time than any other place known to mankind. It is a European country like no other. You can not turn a corner without seeing remnants of the ancient civilization.
"The feature which most distinguishes the Greek from any other Mediterranean landscape is its clear spirituality.”
Some Aspects of Modern Greek Art by Manolis Hadjidakis
(I have also written a version of this article with more history. If you are interested see excerpts below)
The history of the Cyclades predates even that of Athens with the added attraction to artists of crisp air and brilliant colors. Included in this group are dramatic Santorini and posh Mykonos. Paros is the hospitable island with just the right proportions of culture, people, shops and other activities and an over generous supply of fine beaches with warm water and charming tavernas.
The incomparable beauty of this enchanting island offers painters a symphony of blues and golds to inspire their work. Today there is a strong and vibrant artist’s community on the island. Many are Greeks but even more are of other nationalities. Some are world renown, most are content to live and work in such a conducive environment that they care not for the lure of marketing to a larger population. Many tutors from the US and the UK bring their classes here to stretch their students to a new level of expression.
The potential painting locations are endless. Here are but a few examples.
Lefkes is a village favored by the artistic minded (right brain). It is physically impossible to contort yourself to not see a painting, photo or pleasant view.
Piso Livadi equals beach = boats = active fishing pier = mountain with monastery -- oh yes, and the sea. Aliki is a small, very calm and peaceful village yet full of Cycladic architecture. Naoussa, the in place with a colorful touristy façade, is both quaint and active. Painters find it difficult to choose from the incredible variety of images.
Everywhere and anywhere through out the island workshop students are encouraged to find their own creative voice and develop their personal visual language to both communicate and be fed by the beauty that they see. Generally there is a specific agenda filling each day but structured to facilitate and enhance each participant’s individual experience. Days are a combination of painting and leisure time; evenings provide a mix of socialising with fellow artists and free time.
Paros hoteliers are well experienced in providing trouble-free accommodations that automatically induce relaxation. Accommodations have the plain Cycladic architecture that you see everywhere and offer the same clean private bathrooms and balconies that you find elsewhere. The difference is provided by hosts who have traveled through-out the world and have now settled on Paros to specialise in creating an environment that allows artists to enhance their own art.
In summary our Greek isle life style is a work of art in which you are invited to share.
Joy of Beauty
Last night was one of the most stimulating evenings that we have had in a long time.
I have written before about the extensive art community on Paros; the organised members are called IPAC (International Paros Art Circle). They are hosting a discussion series loosely based around art appreciation. The first one was titled The Use of Art in Everyday Live but it quickly became What is Art.
The introductory presentation was given by Peter Seibt, an internationally known painter. I was amazed at how comprehensive his analysis was. I didn’t take notes so I can’t summarise other than to say art pervades every facet of our lives both as individuals and as groups or societies. My conclusion was that art would have a broader base, less elitist, if we used the phrase joy of beauty in place of the word art.
It was rather humorous that when we arrived a few minutes early the only people present were the hostess and one of her friends. We thought Oh, oh, this is going to be a small, intimate discussion group. But by the time we started by Greek time, many minutes late, the room was almost full and several people arrived after that. I would guess over 50 people—very good for any community event. There are two permanent art schools on the island and several of their students were there.
Next weeks discussion is on Ancient Art and Public Art followed by our leading medical doctor on the intriguing title Renoir and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
I love island life.
Apothiki Gallery
Our island of Paros is blessed with a large, diverse and vibrant community of the arts. Probably because we have un-ending beauty combined with the light and air of Greece that has inspired the artistic mind long before mankind had a history to record. Yet Paros is just now maturing when it comes to places to display its art. Over the years hotels, restaurants and wineries have doubled as the major venues for local and visiting artists to be seen.
Recently we have taken a giant step to improve the situation with the establishment of The Apothiki Gallery. The founders, Dirk Drijbooms and Hilde Van Lindt from Belgium, have specific goals in mind. To quote them:
“An art centre with an ‘easy access approach’, no ‘whispering gallery atmosphere’, a meeting place for confronting ideas and perceptions, a professional space for exhibitions and performances and last, but certainly not least, a healthy creative inter-action with the local and international community of Paros, artists and art lovers alike!
In other words the Apothiki Gallery over the last two years has not only hosted world class exhibitions it has been the meeting place of choice for any and every artistic event that it can hold. For instance the local association, International Paros Art Circle, is currently holding a very well attended series of discussions on Art Appreciation.
Another very attractive aspect of this art centre is its residency programme. Again it is the ‘place of Paros’ that is the drawing card. Talented and renowned artists are encouraged to spend time on Paros not only creating but refreshing their soul. Once they have been here they become friends for life and our island environment is enhanced accordingly.
The gallery is hidden away between two narrow lanes in the old section of town. Prior to their restoration, the 600 year old buildings were used to store olive oil, wine and other ‘precious goods’ and were known by the local people as the apothiki.
Apothiki is a member of the worldwide network of Residential Art Centers RESARTIS. They have a full and complete schedule for each season and are already accepting enquiries for next year.
Learn more at their web site
Some Other Paros Galleries
Holland Tunnel Gallery - The original is located in Brooklyn, N.Y., USA but this summer edition is well worth a visit. The building is a 17th century merchant's house and is open for browsing when the gallery is open.
There are a great many other regular galleries and exhibition spaces on Paros but I need some updated information. If you have any contact information please pass it on to me. Cheers.
This site
combines the best of both worlds!
Back to our Art Workshop Page
More on history
Enhance your art by exploring its roots. There is a direct connection between pre-historic Greece and the popular Greek isle of Paros.
The history of the Cyclades predates that of Athens and the rest of Greece. In the early Bronze Age about 3,000 BC, the same time as the early Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations, the islanders created the first European art. These were unique funerary statuettes—all made of Parian marble. The same luminescent marble that was used for the prime sculpture of the Greek golden age.
The other ancient Greek art style that is known for breaking new ground with its fluid, naturalistic style was Minoan from the nearby island of Crete. These islanders demonstrated their advanced, pleasure-loving lifestyle with three-dimensional forms, lines and colours that are still popular today. The Minoans had a major outpost on Paros.
Modern Greece is a European country like no other; you can not turn a corner without seeing remnants of the ancient civilization. Yet this same light and air inspires every artist who makes a pilgrimage to the birthplace of western art.
"The feature which most distinguishes the Greek from any other Mediterranean landscape is its clear spirituality. Often simple buildings are so portrayed that they become symbols of the country's fortune. In landscapes of the contemporary Greek art we see the barren soil, the geometric architecture, and the inexorable sunlight. Sharp outline is matched by brilliant coloring. This painting is neither uniform nor derived from a single source, but all of it has a common motivation; to portray a world rich in intellectual and emotional experience through simple but forthright means and a symbolism that preserves the appearance of things."
Some Aspects of Modern Greek Art by Manolis Hadjidakis
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There are more links to the Paros related art world on our More Paros page.
