Annual Exhibition of Workroom of Fine Arts 1997-1998
"What can a wedding photo from the turn of the century mean to children today?" This question was answered by 30 children from seven different European countries, who took on the roles of groom, bride, groomsmen, best men, and friends. They were photographed and created their own story inspired by the image. The Rethymnon Centre of Contemporary Art - "L. Kanakakis" Municipal Gallery (now the Contemporary Art Museum of Crete), which participated in the annual program initiated by the Maison des Enfants in France, showcased this material as part of the Annual exhibition of the Workroom of Fine Arts of the Rethymnon Centre of Contemporary Art. In 1998, the exhibition was inaugurated at the art space "8" (8 Chimaras Street) and remained open until October 18, 1998.
To mark the opening of the exhibition, a press conference was held featuring the Mayor of Rethymnon, Mr. Dimitris Archontakis, the Director of the Rethymnon Centre of Contemporary Art, Mrs. Maria Marangou, and the teachers of the Art Workshops.
Mr. Archontakis expressed his satisfaction with the development and progress achieved by the Rethymnon Centre of Contemporary Art and reaffirmed the Municipality of Rethymnon’s commitment to supporting the Centre and its initiatives. The Director of the Centre, Mrs. Maria Marangou, spoke about the operation of the Workroom of Fine Arts, stating:
"Since their very first year, the Workroom of Fine Arts have sought collaborations both with invited artists and with other Greek and European Centres."
As part of these programs, a ceramics seminar for the teachers of the Workroom of Fine Arts within the Greek Network was organized in 1998, in collaboration with the International Museum of Faenza. Held from September 29 to October 1, the seminar focused on "The Teaching Method of Bruno Munari." It was presented by Ivana Anconelli, Bruno Munari’s assistant and head of the museum’s workshops for teachers and children. Additionally, Carlo Bojanni, the museum’s director, delivered a lecture on "Museums and the Teaching of Art in Italy."
The planned events for the Art Workshops for the 1998-1999 academic year were also announced during the seminar.
Believing that creative expression is a right for everyone, the workshops cater to primary, middle, and high school students, as well as adults. Through carefully tailored programs for each age group, participants gain self-awareness, explore various forms of expression, expand their imagination, and learn about art history and culture. They also engage with the cultural heritage of Greece and other countries through individual or group projects and collaborations with cultural institutions both domestically and internationally.
During the 1997-1998 academic year, the Art Workshops included 10 sections for children and 7 for adults. These classes provided opportunities to explore and learn various techniques and methods of expression, including drawing, painting, ceramics, mask-making, tapestry, collage, photography, and creative constructions.
