Fulbright art alumni raise funds
This year the Fulbright Foundation celebrates 63 years on Greek soil. The organization?s Greek program is the oldest in Europe and the second to be established globally, following that set up in the Philippines in 1948.
Thanks to the foundation?s scholarships, no fewer than 2,700 Greek scientists and artists have traveled to the United States in order to study and do research. Among them are some of Greece?s brightest, ranging from author Giorgos Theotokas to Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, and, more recently, choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou.
An exhibition featuring artworks by 10 Fulbright art alumni, ?The Fulbright Alumni Art Series — Art Supports Education,? opens at the Benaki Museum?s shop today. All 10 artists have donated their works and sales proceeds will benefit the Fulbright Scholar Program.
?Our idea was to show that art is based on education and that our alumni wish to give something back. They see our efforts as a kind of relay race where the torch has to pass onto the next generation,? said Artemis Zenetou, executive director of the Fulbright Foundation in Greece.
It is not widely known that a number of prominent personalities in the field of the Greek arts are Fulbright alumni, among them are theater master Karolos Koun and archaeologist Spyros Marinatos, followed later on by Benaki Museum director Angelos Delivorrias and Marina Lambraki-Plaka, director of the National Gallery of Greece.
?Throughout the years the Fulbright Foundation has practically supported people in the arts, people with an appetite for learning and conducting research,? said Zenetou.
Participating in the show are Erieta Attali, Dora Economou, Zoe Keramea, Sia Kyriakakos, Lambros Papanikolatos, Vangelis Pliarides, Costas Varotsos, Zafos Xagoraris, Sotos Zachariadis and Theodoros Zafeiropoulos.
Benaki Museum, 17 Vas. Sofias
