Many years ago – 2011 actually – it was suggested by a then open studios member that, since the old one folded, I should take on the task of starting a new one. I shook my head in total denial – a little like Miranda and Homer combined.
After my husband passed away in 2012 and all the paperwork was done, I was twiddling my thumbs and wondering what I should do with the rest of my life.
Well, here we are in the third year of the CYPRUS OPEN STUDIOS (COS) operation! It was a bit of a struggle in 2017 with Pafos2017 grabbing the spotlight. This year, Larnaca is having their first Bienale and thus the eastern part of the island is otherwise occupied.
Nicosia region is, well… something else; a sort of separate entity. Are the artists and artisans so happy with their own marketing and promotion, and the way they do their own thing that they don’t need an extra string to their bow? Or is it because they are inland? Is it because they are the capital city? Is it because it is the only divided capital in the entire world? I don’t know, but they seem to distance themselves from Cyprus Open Studios although there have been a couple of interested people who… eventually decided not to go for ahead.
I would be interested to know the answer, as I am as confused a Hillary. 
We have come to the end of our exhibitions abroad for 2018 and it has been a giant learning curve! But, every lesson learned is valuable. The Royal Academy of Arts also seems to be on a different planet. If you don’t preserve lambs or sharks in formaldehyde or paint naked in a wooden cell where the public can glimpse you, or make outlandish installations, it seems that your goose is cooked. Is this showing cultural ignorance on my part? Probably. Again, I would love to know the answer. (No images because of copyright).
We shall continue to try and get our members into the RA summer exhibition. You can read all about it here.
Attempting to become an RA exhibitor is part of our agreement with the Salon des Refuses in London. They are responsible for exhibiting the refused RA art – very traditional since 1863 in France, by command of Napoleon III for those artists whose works had been refused by the jury of the official Salon; he did love a good painting!
You can see the top 12 Salon des Refuses artists here – and we are delighted to say two of our COS/OGA members were amongst the top 12! Now that’s something for one’s CV.
Marina Emphietzi Harris is the person responsible for Open Galleries Abroad (OGA), the international division of Cyprus Open Studios (COS). Contact information is on our website.
We would like to invite you to have a look at our Facebook page and while you’re there, give us a LIKE, please – if you haven’t done so already!
Our website is also up and running where you will be able to see this year’s participants (and non-participants) – the latter do not open their studios to the public but are available to visit at any time, by appointment.
Oh yes!!! – you can become a member of the COS community and have your very own listing on our website with up to 8 images of your work… WITHOUT opening your studio. Check out the website: “Register here > members only” at a very small subscription with big exposure and, there is no deadline for joining as a Member Only.
If you are looking for something to read, have a look at this blog post – you will find out why artists are important. And they are!
The COS Team wishes everyone an excellent summer break – stay cool!
Ed: Maria Etheridge
cyprusopenstudios 