In 2018 the cultural association of the village made a plan to start colouring the village. The village was already beautiful, but it needed an identity. In 2019 this project ramped up with many more houses and shops being coloured.
Murals
A small scale mural project has started. Unlike the residencies sister 'The Lakkos Project', in the city of Heraklion, the murals must not conflict with the nature, and architecture of the village. They will be painted onto walls that do not interrupt the traditional aesthetic. On saying that the murals also can not just be of flowers. Artists need to spend a bit of time in the village, and come up with a concept that sits well within the area.
You tube vlog about the village.
We are hoping to publish one vlog per week, about the daily activities in the village. Please subscribe... :) www.youtube.com/channel/UC8JyMGPuzLdyupya-Wx5c0g
Small exhibition space on the central square.
Permaculture garden
Over the next three years the residency will expand into a second house. The house needs lots of work, but the large garden can be started in early 2020. The garden will be based on permaculture practices, and will also become an art garden. The garden will supply the residency with fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables.
Second residency house
In 2019 the residency purchased at a very low price the original 'Kazani' (alcohol making building) in the centre of the village. Right after it was purchased the world closed down and there was no funds for renovations. Then in 2022 with artists returning there was funds to get started on renovations. We put on a new roof and first floor, plus a couple of doors to keep the rain out. Then in July 2022 there was an earthquake that caused structural damage to it as its original render was weak and left it very fragile. The current artists house was fine. Now all spare funds go into saving to have it made structurally safe hopefully at the end of 2022.
Guest artists 2023
List updated 08/04/2023. There are a few dates left available.
Sil Sil Ism. Performance artist/ Visual artist. June www.instagram.com/silsilism/?hl=en Odysseas Grammatikakis. Musician. June. www.franticaerostat.com Eleni Christou. Anthropologist. July. www.kafeaspoume.com Ilona Sturm. Visual artist. July. www.Ilonasturm.com Rosie Fea. Writer/ anthropologist. July. www.instagram.com/rosiefea/ John Palmer. Visual artist. August. www.instagram.com/yonrawlmer/ Ann Shostrom. Visual artist. September. www.annshostrom.com John Bowman. Visual artist. September. johnbowmanart.com/?fbclid=IwAR0vUmb0BJehh9npNuXJbsW-Y4dPBqDdrWzj0vaPlUlzN5zXQsMJS-Myfk8
An alternative kafeneon
On the main square of the old village there was once three kafeneons (coffee shops/ bars). As the local population thinned out they all closed. Now there is just one left on the main street. This one is mostly frequented by the older men of the village. There is a real need for a new kafeneon for younger people. At the moment, most nights when guest at the artists residency meet for drinks, it's on the main square in front on the mini market. That sounds a bit daggy, but it is lots of fun. But still we are looking for a couple, or two friends to open one of the original kafeneons. The one available is very beautiful. It is full of antique tables and chairs, which the owner is fine to let be used.
As the building has previously been a kafeneon, getting the paper work to reopen it is not difficult. Whoever does it should have a European passport. Speaking Greek would help, but is not essential. As two bus loads of tourists pass every day it would make enough money to make a profit straight way. The vision for the kafeneon is a place where exhibitions and music nights could be held. Because the location is so beautiful it would not take long for word to get out, and people would come to the new 'destination'. Of course there is need for some investment to get it up and running.