The first Art Residency of the ART4SEA Project took place in the picturesque fishing village and harbor of Steni Vala, on the serene island of Alonissos, Greece, from May 10th to May 16th, 2024. The residency was organized by Atlantis Consulting, in collaboration with local stakeholders and the support of the Municipality of Alonissos. The Art Residency in Alonissos provided an opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in the island’s natural beauty, ancient sea traditions and rich cultural heritage.
Alonissos, the first destination of the ART4SEA project, is a tranquil haven of marine conservation and sustainable tourism. The Art Residency hosted 8 international artists from Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, and Greece, which were selected from 256 proposals submitted through the ART4SEA Open Call for Artists, in order to create 8 artworks, eco-friendly.
During the Art Residency, the artists engaged in plenty of activities that connected them with the island and its community. They visited the local folk museum of “Kostas Mavrikis” and the information center of the Marine Protected Area of Northern Sporades, delving into the rich cultural and environmental heritage of Alonissos. The artists also experienced a unique virtual diving session at the Knowledge Awareness Center of the Old Town, which offered a fascinating "dry-dive" into the Underwater Heritage Sites of the region. A boat trip to the Marine Protected Area provided further inspiration, as they explored the pristine natural landscape, snorkeled, and dived in the crystal-clear waters of the island.
A significant highlight was the "Meet the Artists" event on May 12th, 2024, where the public had the opportunity to engage with the artists and participate in creative activities. A public interactive workshop was set up at the central port of Patitiri in Alonissos, aimed at raising awareness about ocean health and at the same time allowing the artists to interact with the community and visitors.
Through these immersive experiences, the artists forged meaningful connections with the island and its inhabitants, enriching their artistic journey and the local culture.
Moreover, during the Residency, all artists received specific mentoring from renowned institutions: scientific mentoring by the Institut de Ciencies del Mar (ICM) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), technical mentoring by 3D Research, a spin-off company of the University of Calabria and project Coordinator (3DR), and artistic mentoring by the International Association for the Safeguarding and Valorisation of the Identities of Humanity (iWorld). They collaborated closely with experts in natural sciences and digital technologies to create artworks that promote environmental awareness and ocean protection.
Special thanks to the Municipality of Alonissos, Ikion Diving Center and all participants, whose efforts made the first Art Residency Program a reality.
After the conclusion of the residency, on Friday, May 17th, 2024, the Municipality of Alonissos hosted the 4th Partner Meeting of the project, where the results of the first Art Residency Program were discussed. Impressions were shared, and the next steps of the project were analyzed, including the organization of the upcoming Art Residency Programs on the island of Gozo, Malta (June 2024), and on the island of Ustica, Italy (September 2024).
The 8 final artworks of this Art Residency will be revealed in June 2025 with the launch of a local exhibition. The installations will be accompanied by a fully Virtual Exhibition hosting all the 24 created works of ART4SEA project at the Alonissos Knowledge and Awareness Center.
The ART4SEA initiative, co-funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Union, exemplifies how art and innovation can merge to inspire change and offer new perspectives for ocean protection. It demonstrates that art can be a powerful ally in education and environmental action, enhancing cultural and environmental tourism in Alonissos and nearby areas.
Learn more about ART4SEA: www.art4sea.eu
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