Our most recent "artful escape" to Greece in the fall of 2001 took place right after the world had been
stunned by the events of September 11, and the subsequent declaration of war against terrorism.
If terror and other threatening possibilities were lurking around us then, art was what we chose as
our beacon of hope, guiding us ever so gently across Greece and directing our future.
Perhaps because of the fears that were rampant outside, we became
faster friends, creating and enjoying each others' creative
efforts so much more than in previous journeys. And what
talent we had in our small group! A singer-song writer filled
the autumn evening on our tiny island with her voice and music
as we sipped wine, shared our stories, and waited for the
restaurants to open for the dinner trade. A painter (and a closet
poet) painted to her heart's content and our eyes' delight, abandoning
herself to the splendor of the Parthenon and the rugged
sea shores of Tinos...a sculptor chiseled away on Aegean marble,
creating a conch –
 "I climbed and sketched the Parthenon. Will wonders never cease?" Jean Monteith |
Art was all around us, art created by us, art displayed for our viewing in the National Gallery – a magnificent exhibit to celebrate the centenary of Nicholas Gyzis' death (he of the founding fathers of contemporary Greek painting and one of the so many artist sons of Tinos). Fine art, fine wine, fabulous food, good company, unforgettable sharing moments.
The more events became uncertain in the world around us, the more our hosts opened their hearts and extended even more Greek hospitality, as if to cushion the sadness, the unpredictability of the times we are living in. Who can forget the delicious food spontaneously prepared for us by Anna, our Tinos' hotelier's wife, or his guitar playing and our dancing the night away with syrtos, hassapikos, and Caterina's valiant zeibekiko? What about our night of "culinary exchanges" in Tinos? Fresh barbounia, the finest of local fishes, for Canadian bison sausages??
Mr. Jan Vorres, of the Vorres Museum, a most attentive host at all times became even more so this time – he showed us more works, lingered on with us...even posed for photos with us! (Now, will our snapshot be displayed along with all the famous world figures who have visited the museum...?)
What of Mr. Yiannis Papachristou, the proprietor of the
Papachristou Winery...who shared with us his passion for producing
organic wines from scratch to finish...who ever so generously
gave each of us two bottles of exquisite wine in tasteful (and
reusable) cloth bags to take away with us. (This is the wine we all
shared to set our mood just before dinner on Tinos...!)
So many wonderful memories, such a time of re-affirmation of how effective a cultural exchange art and travel can be. We hope to see you next year on one of our journeys...and may all your dreams come true in 2002.
Plan now — our journeys for 2002 and beyond:
"Greece..an artful escape" our popular fall destination and marble
carving/sculpting studio, written up in travel sections from
The Sunday Oregonian to the St. Petersburg Times, and selected
by the Editor of GoNOMAD Alternative Travel Guide as one of
its "top picks" for European travel. In "Marble: Tradition and
Innovation," we find the hidden galleries in Athens, walk the
streets of historic Plaka, explore the islands of Syros and
Hydra...and create original works of art on the Cycladic island
of Tinos. (September 25 to October 10, 2002)
"In the Footsteps of Dionysos"...this time around we search for the elusive and fun-loving god in the autumn
plains of Attica, and the stunningly beautiful volcanic island of Santorini — we stomp the grapes
ourselves, sample the best of Greek wines, enjoy Epicurean feasts, explore the picturesque villages...and
much more! (Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, 2002)
In the works...Our first-ever summer journey for our hot-blooded ceramic types—they love Greece in the summer and a good, fiery kiln (The Art and Craft of Clay, now scheduled for August 13–25, 2002)
"Aegean Palimpsests: a photographic journey to Skyros" you won't want to miss the centuries old pre-Lenten carnival on this beautiful Sporadic island (for March of 2003)
A printmaking studio journey for April of 2003...on a another stunning Greek island
Stay in touch... The ArtExchange Calgary, Alberta Canada
