This amazing Bohemian mish mash - The Cyprus College of Art in Lemba has been home to thousands of artists and art students from around the world. Founded by Stass Paraskos in 1969, the Cyprus College of Art is not like any other art college in the world. Although the College does teach courses, it has always been a place where artists and art students from around the world can come together, exchange ideas, work and enjoy each other's company without the trivial concerns of accreditation and validation that standard art schools seem to worry about. In short it is a place made by artists, for artists. Literally!
It was Peter de Francia, Professor of Painting at London's Royal College of Art, who summed up the Cyprus College of Art most accurately. 'To make an art school,' de Francia said, 'all you need are four artists sat under a tree. As soon as they start talking you have an art school.'
De Francia is only one of many distinguished artists to visit the Cyprus College of Art over the years. Others have included the great English sculptor Sir Anthony Caro, and the painters Sir Terry Frost, Euan Uglow and Bridget Riley. In fact, so many members of Britain's Royal Academy, the heart of the British art world, have a Cyprus College of Art connection that the art historian John Cornell has written in The London Magazine that the Cyprus College of Art is responsible for introducing Cypriot elements into British art.
The College is one of the oldest cultural institutions in Cyprus. It was started in Famagusta by the distinguished Cypriot artist Stass Paraskos with support from Archbishop Makarios.
Image shows Stass Paraskos (right) and British poet Martin Bell (left) meeting Archbishop Makarios in 1968 to discuss setting up the Cyprus College of Art
The cache utilises one of the million perfect nooks & crannies in the installation, but to stop you all pulling bits of it apart I have included a hint picture, don't feel guilty for using it. It's a small peanut butter jar, a perfect fit for it's hide, and contains FTF, pencil and log.