Artist Residencies in Santorini and Rhodes

The artist residency programs offer a space for experimentation, reflection, and dialogue, allowing artists to delve deeper into the environment and history of Santorini and Rhodes. These places, with their deep cultural heritage and natural beauty, are fertile ground for new artistic explorations linked to the local tradition and the ever-evolving practice of pottery.

The residency program offers participants the opportunity to meet the island’s artists, explore traditional practices, and expand both the boundaries of their work and the narrative of the place through modern approaches.

The resulting works will be living expressions of the connection between past and present, heritage and innovation. At the same time, they will act as a creative bridge between the previous and the next station of the Biennale, enhancing continuity and interconnection.

Rhodes

“A Blossom Unafraid of Time”
Artists Residency: July 21 – August 15, 2025
Exhibition Opening: August 13, 2025, at 20:00
Exhibition Duration: August 13 – November 22, 2025
Venue: Auberge de France, Medieval City of Rhodes
Artists: Pavlidou Nasia, Tserionis George

The Auberge de France in Rhodes, one of the most iconic monuments of the Medieval City, will host artists Giorgos Tserionis and Nasia Pavlidou as part of its Artist Residency Program, which encourages the intersection of cultural heritage with the contemporary challenges of ceramic art. From July 21 to August 11, 2025, the artists will create site-specific works inspired by the unique atmosphere of the Auberge. Their works will be unveiled at the exhibition “A Blossom Unafraid of Time”, opening on August 13, 2025.

The title captures both the essence of the works and the spirit of the site itself, a place where history, tradition, and contemporary expression intertwine and quietly blossom beyond the boundaries of time. During the exhibition, the artists will activate the garden and the courtyard of the Auberge de France, transforming this historic setting into a site of reflection and poetic encounter.

Santorini

“A Land in Need of Rest”
Artist Residency: September 25 – October 10, 2025
Exhibition Opening: October 4, 2025, 20:00
Exhibition Duration: September 25 – October 10, 2025
Venue: Vedema Resort, Megalochori, Santorini
Participating Artists: Anastasios Angelou (Photographer), Christoforos Asimis (Visual Artist), Lea Binzer (Visual Artist), Ule Elwet (Ceramicist), Lena Kitsopoulou (Director, Actress, Visual Artist), Nikos Korakakis (Photographer), Grigoris Kouskouris (Sculptor), Yorgos Kypris (Visual Artist), Orfeas Makaris (Ceramicist), Vangelis Pepos (Visual Artist), Nikos Rigopoulos (Photographer), Marina Taliadourou (Ceramicist), Giannis Vlantonopoulos (Ceramicist)

Santorini, a land that carries the memory of fertile fields and thriving biodiversity, hosts the award-winning ceramicist Ule Elwet and the group contemporary art exhibition “A Land in Need of Rest”, featuring artists from Santorini. Together, they are invited to explore the island’s natural beauty, its ecological heritage, and the deep interconnections between species and their environment. Through poetic, symbolic, affirmative, or critical artistic approaches, the exhibition sheds light on what has been lost, what still endures, and what urgently needs protection—ranging from small tomatoes and ancient vineyards to the birds, donkeys, and wild plants that once had space to flourish.

At the heart of the initiative lies a call for a deeper and more meaningful relationship with the environment, beyond an anthropocentric perspective—emphasizing care, coexistence, and environmental responsibility. The aim is to sustain living connections with local communities and enrich the dialogue between artists, residents, and visitors. By highlighting the cultural and ecological significance of Santorini, the exhibition aspires to offer authentic experiences and raise public awareness about the need to protect the local environment and biodiversity.

Vedema Resort, a member of Empiria Group, is hosting the exhibition in its Canava, honoring the cultural heritage and authentic landscape of Santorini. With a deep commitment to promoting culture and supporting the local community, the Group consistently embraces initiatives that highlight art, history, and the island’s sustainability.

The Akrotiri Animation Project

The Animation Project tells the story of Akrotiri, an ancient city preserved in volcanic ashes, through a contemporary lens. By bringing history to life through animation, the project merges education with modern media, making archaeological research accessible to children and the public.

The aim is to produce a short, animated film about Life in Prehistoric Akrotiri.

This production aims to bring culture closer to children, the future of the island, as well as to groups of people who are often excluded from cultural activities due to obligations or lack of access. At the same time, it seeks to inspire and inform the local community and visitors, especially young audiences, by projecting a unique narrative of the place.

Short Animation Film (3–5 minutes)
Production Timeline: 6 months
Screening Date: Nov. 2025
Target Audience: All schools in Santorini and Thirasia
Venue: Santorini / To be confirmed by Thira Municipality