Open Call 2025
“The Gem of the Cyclades, Syros island”
2 weeks | 10 Artists | Greece
16 May - 30 May 2025 | Fees 1980 euro*
*with breakfast
The Program includes
Guided tours
Guided tour to the neoclassical city of Ermoupolis including visit to the Town Hall and to the famous Kois mansion, dated in the 19th century, with the original painted ceilings and antiques.
Estimated activity time: 2 ½ hours
Guided tour to Ano Syros, a settlement that combines medieval and Cycladic architecture.
Estimated activity time activity: 1 ½ hours.
Guided tour to the old Zisimatos Textile Factory and brunch in the yard (https://www.hermoupolisheritage.com/en). This is the best industrial museum of the Cyclades featuring the original installations and machinery.
Estimated activity time: 2 hours
Visit to the Ermoupolis Industrial Museum featuring the first electric car Enfield 8000 made in Greece (http://www.ketepo.gr/en/)
Estimated activity time: 1 hour
Visit to Sykoutris traditional cook house to see the production of the famous Syrian loukoumi sweets.
Estimated activity time: 1 hour
Visit to a Syrian winery producing local wines and wine tasting
Estimated activity time: 1 hour
Walking tours guided by https://www.hikingteam.gr/ (upon request)
A true inspirational is the industrial museum housed in the refurbished Zisimatos Textile Factory: upon request artists can work in the premises. (https://www.hermoupolisheritage.com/en).
Visit to the traditional Ermoupolis shipyard and then to Fanari lighthouse by boat (includes brunch onboard)
Estimated activity time: 1 ½ hours
Meeting and exchanging views with digital nomads from all over the world living in the Boundless hub of Ermoupolis (https://www.boundless.life).
Trip to the pristine beaches of the north coast by Perla speed boat, including Grammata and Grey cave. In Grammata (meaning writing) bay there are letters scratched onto the rocks. Generations of sailors, washed up on this inhospitable coast, inscribed their wishes, prayers and names on them. Most of them date from Roman and Byzantine times
Estimated activity time: 2 hours
Location
The island of Syros merges neoclassical, traditional Cycladic and modern Greece. It is the legal and administrative center of the Cyclades, home to Ermoupolis, the grandest of all Cycladic towns, with great history, neoclassical, ecclesiastic and industrial monuments and picture-perfect neighborhoods such as the famous Vaporia. Booking.com users voted the classy city of Ermoupolis as the second most hospitable in the world! It is, also, on Condé Nast Traveller’s (CNT) list of Favorite Beach Towns in Europe, characterized as a “tiny Palermo in the Aegean”.
Radiant, elegant and full of life all year round, Ermoupolis became home to many digital nomads from around the world. Apart from admirable monuments, it offers a large promenade, traditional markets and a variety of shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and museums to explore.
The catholic Ano (Upper) Syros, on the other hand, boasts an inspiring mix of medieval and Cycladic architecture along with great vistas to the Aegean Sea and Ermoupolis. Its coble streets feature many ecclesiastical monuments and modern hangouts.
On the island there are several sandy beaches and villages full of impressive old mansions. A network of hiking trails offers an authentic way to uncover the history and nature of Syros.
The island’s cultural and educational wealth includes the university of the Aegean, film, jazz, animation, street art, and classical music festivals organized throughout the year.
It is a true inspiration for artists, such as musicians, ceramists, painters, photographers, writers, designers and more. Many of them participate in the local festivals and exhibit or sell their works in various galleries and art shops.
Housing
Guesthouse (10 Artists):
Fifteen minutes-drive from Ermoupolis, just 800m. away from Kini beach, you find yourself a family run property open all year round. The hotel exudes peaceful authenticity and boasts generous 360 degrees views towards the Aegean Sea.
The complex is just uphill from the famous Kini sandy bay surrounded by the Cycladic landscape. It comprises 10 stylish, spacious and fully equipped apartments all looking out onto the sea, and 2 studios. Also, verandas, courtyards and gardens.
There is a lovely swimming pool to relax by and large common terraces commanding views to the Aegean Sea. They are ideal for enjoying our rich breakfast, coffee, drinks/cocktails, snacks. To enhance the culinary experiences we organize Private Dinning.
Last but not least, the hotel is eco and pet friendly.
A communal space, dedicated for workspace, spans 70 square meters, equipped with tables and ergonomic chairs, providing a studio where artist can work. The space will be in the block of the hotel to make it easier for the artists.
Artists have the opportunity to collaborate and communicate, fostering the exchange of ideas, technical expertise, and reflections on diverse topics in art and humanity.
Workspace and Curators
Project Manager - Vasiliki Vaimaki
Vali has been a travel writer for the past 25 years. Alongside her journalistic activities and her specialization in the travel sector, she is a Communication Consultant, has worked in advertising as a copywriter, event organization and services of Press Offices and Public Relations.
She is currently collaborating with www.travel.gr a portal dedicated to travelling in Greece and abroad.
She is also creating web sites for travel agencies, restaurants and hotels.
Until May 2023 she was a Tourism Promotion Executive in the Municipality of Piraeus as a member of a DMO team and in 2022 she provided content (texts-photos) for the new portal of the Prefecture of Peloponnese.
Other projects include interactive iPhone and iPad apps for Greek islands and the creation/uploading of 360 photos in Google Maps, as a Local Guide for Greece.
She holds a degree from the Athens Law University and Proficiency in English language.
She is the author of the book ‘’Unexplored Tinos’’.
How will you get there
FERRYS
Syros can be reached from several ports across Greece. Both conventional and high-speed ferries reach the port of Syros.
From Athens, travelers can take a ferry to Syros from either Piraeus or Lavrio. Itineraries from Piraeus are more frequent, though.
Kavala (a coastal town in northern Greece) and Karystos (a seaside town in Evia) are also connected with Syros Port.
Last but not least, visitors can travel to Syros from other islands of the Aegean. Indicatively, Syros is connected via ferry with Mykonos, Tinos, Lemnos, Samos, and Chios.
During summer, the number and frequency of routes increase, making it possible to combine a visit to Syros with a visit to many more Greek islands.
FLIGHTS
Syros has a national airport that connects the island with the International Airport of Athens.
It is not possible to fly to the island from any other airport in Greece or abroad.
The airport is located only 3 kilometers from Ermoupolis and can be reached by taxi or private means of transport.
For any further information our team will be in personalised communication with you in order to organise together your trip.
Program Dates & Fees 2025
Below you can find information related to duration, fees and availability.
Fees - 1980€
Duration - 2 weeks (14days)
Arrival 16 May 2025
Departure 30 May 2025
Availability
10 places (private room + breakfast)
Fees 1980*€
*The above prices include accommodation with breakfast, the use of the workshop, know-how seminars, materials (clay) and the necessary tools, the baking oven, the group exhibition and the one-day hiking excursion in nature and a visit to a monastery, by a professional guide.
Deadline of applications 30 December 2024
FAQs
Is there funding?
For the time being, Eutopia Art Residency cannot provide scholarships
Are there any requirements for Artists?
Since Eutopia Art Residency focuses on research, knowledge sharing and experience with other artists and the local area, there are no required results.
What is included in the participation cost in the residence?
Accommodation (with water, electricity, natural gas, kitchen utensils, set of towels and bed linen, free street parking, weekly cleaning, access to the studio, access to our equipment, editorial help). Activities are planned throughout the month, such as open studio events, workshops, trips in nature, public speaking or traveling, publishing your profile in our online archive; free Wi-Fi both in the house and in the studio.
What is NOT included in the participation cost in the residence?
Travel costs, medical insurance, food, production costs, consumables and any additional services
Can I have a visitor during my stay?
Yes. Visiting partners and associates are welcome in the same studio as an artist if you book a double private room.
Is there a meal plan?
Each accommodation undertakes to offer you daily breakfast. The rest of the meals of the day are not included in the price.
Restaurants and taverns with very good food and with a menu of Mediterranean Greek Cuisine (Vegan etc.) at a very low cost, there are many in the village and very close to the accommodation.
Do you provide editorial assistance?
Once accepted for residency, our editor will chat with each of the artists to better understand their interests and help plan their travel and accommodation. In addition, we will create a housing plan consisting of group activities, individual feedback sessions, workshops and trips. Please also discuss your studio space needs in detail, accommodation, equipment etc.
Throughout your stay, we will always be available to answer your questions, help you with your needs and plan your activities. If you need support finding a specific type of equipment or hardware, you can contact locals to join your project or suggest interesting websites related to your research.
Cancellation Policy
The deposit is non-refundable.