They say that there is strength in numbers. This being the case, there is an exciting event taking place early autumn where local artists can showcase their individual talents under a group umbrella.
Open Studios Paphos is being re-launched by local artist and energetic arts coordinator, Maria Etheridge who runs the visual arts website www.art-en-route-cyprus.com. Artists working in all mediums have until July 31 to apply to take part.
Etheridge has been inspired by similar Open Studios events which ran in Nicosia, Paphos and Limassol over the last decade, although her initiative is entirely independent. “Since Open Studios petered out in 2011, my (now) late husband needed more and more care so anything to do with promoting art, mine or that of others, had to take a backseat,” Etheridge told the Cyprus Weekly.
“He passed away in 2012 and mountains of paper and red tape resulted. At the same time, paradoxically, I felt the need to fill a huge gap in my life.”
At first Etheridge wanted to create a website for all past participants of Open Studios, but for various reasons, she said that many were not interested.
Re-launching tradition
“I felt that it was important for artists to have a platform from which they may launch their product. Creating another Open Studios event will once again provide the opportunity for artists to show their work to the public without having to transport it anywhere. People love engaging with artists in their studios, making it far more intimate than visiting a gallery.”
Etheridge explained that the new Open Studios offers the opportunity to showcase not only an artist’s work but also their methods, tools and their ‘sanctuary’.
“A workspace is where you create your dreams. There are no restrictions – anyone can participate.”
In order to take part in the event, an artist needs to register on the Art-en-Route website before the end of this month. This will result in a waiver of the standard €15 fee until the end of 2015. “The website, www.art-en-route-cyprus.com, is still in its infancy. However, I envisage sending our message to the world – and I mean that – about the artists of Cyprus on an ever-growing website,” Etheridge said.
Connecting peers
Joining the website puts an artist in touch with many of their peers and offers the opportunity to network. A subscriber also gets the equivalent of their own one-page mini website which can be used in their own literature, on their business card and letterheads and all promotional material. Registration involves filling in a simple form.
“It is my dream to make art-en-route the number one virtual gallery for the artists of Cyprus. Each member may display up to eight images of their work in a slideshow on their page.”
Taking part in the related Open Studios event will incur some costs for each artist but Etheridge is determined to keep these to a minimum. “Each participant will share in the advertising costs. At this point I can say with certainty that it will not be more that €50 per participant and could be less, depending on the number of participants.”
Cultural horizon
There will be no guide or catalogue of participants printed this year as planning started too late, explained Etheridge. However, the public will be guided to the website for information on each participant and there will be media coverage on participants.
Etheridge has high hopes for the event and envisions it spawning a network of arts happenings. “If this year’s Open Studios is well-received, I envisage the event becoming firmly established in the public’s mind and on the calendar for many years to come.
It is my fervent hope that by the end of 2016, a host of artists will have joined the website, increasing year-on-year. This will facilitate networking amongst the members and events will flow from that. We should remember that Pafos2017 is now just two years away and it would be great to have a full-blown event during that year.”
Finally, with such a full and busy life both within and outside the arts world, what inspired Etheridge to take on yet another creative challenge? “They always say that if you want something done, you should ask a busy person!”