THE first Cyprus Open Studios gets underway across the island this weekend and gives the public an opportunity to meet both local and visiting artists, and offers an opportunity to buy original pieces.
Founder of the event, Paphos-based artist Maria Etheridge, told the Cyprus Mail that along with her two Cypriot partners, they aim to establish Cyprus Open Studios both at home and abroad.
A number of ‘Open Studio’ events have taken place in Cyprus in the past, and in 2011, organisers of Paphos and Limassol Open Studios announced that this event would no longer exist in its current form and would go into hibernation. This event was relaunched under ‘new management’ in 2015, when Etheridge said they held a ‘test weekend’, ahead of this October’s main event.
“We have 49 artists participating altogether and details are available on our website. This is a wonderful opportunity for both the public and participating artists. We want to take this idea globally, promoting our artists abroad and for visiting artists to take part in our Open Studios.”
Artists will open their homes, studios and workplaces to the public during October and a full programme of up to date information is available to download from the website www.cyprusopenstudios.com.
Some artists will offer demonstrations and workshops and it will also be possible to commission art work directly from the artist.
Etheridge established a website www.art-en-route-cyprus.com, a sort of directory which sees local artists each have a dedicated page a while ago. Following its success a number of people suggested she started another open studios.
She explained that the idea is for participants to invite artist friends to Cyprus, host them in their homes and share their space with them.
“This year we have visiting artists from Ibiza, the Netherlands, and three from the UK.”
As well as being able to visit artist’s homes, a number of participants will be showing their work at Technopolis20 cultural centre in Paphos. There will be eight artists on display here, including those from the UK, on the third and fourth weekend in October.
Artists are working in a number of mediums including: all sorts of painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, mosaics and glasswork.
Originally from South Africa, Etheridge has lived in Cyprus for almost 16 years and loves it. She is also an artist, and was also a participant in the original open studios event, and will open up her studio space in Kamares, Tala, to the public, and will be hosting four other artists as well.
“I am more of a traditional painter than a contemporary one and I like to use everything, pastels, oils, acrylic and so on,” she said.
Studios are open during the first four weekends of October between 11am and 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Entrance is free and selected art work will be available to purchase if desired. There is also a competition.
“If you plan to visit four or more of our artists’ studios you will be eligible to enter the prize draw. People will need to collect artists’ signatures from four different studios (not four artists exhibiting in a group) on the inside back cover of the printed brochure or a PDF version which may be downloaded from our website.”
The winner will be drawn at random from qualifying entries and will receive a €150 art voucher.
Banners bearing a distinctive orange splash will be displayed near the entrance to each open studio.
Although a number of artists from around the island are taking part, most are based in Paphos.
“We plan to expand this event and as next year, 2017, Paphos is the cultural capital of Europe, we will encourage even more artists and those from abroad, to take part,” she said.
A programme may be download at www.cyprusopenstudios.com
For further information: Maria Etheridge on 99512959, Marina Emphietzi-Harris 99341726 or Nora Hadjisotiriou 99678132.
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