Creative producer based on the Isle of Wight Tracy Mikich and artist Therese Grimaldi recently traveled to Cyprus to learn a variety of traditional skills, including mosaic making, icon painting and crochet, as part of a Grampus Heritage and Erasmus+ training programme.
The program, organized by the Kato Drys Community Council, uses art and craft as a way to bring people from different backgrounds together and as a mechanism to raise awareness about sustainability issues. It focuses on the use of natural and recycled materials to help promote a better understanding of environmental, cultural, economic and social sustainability.
The training took place in an old olive mill in the village of Pano Lefkara, located on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains.
The name Lefkara means white mountains in Greek and the village is known for its traditional Lefkaritika embroidery, a delicate embroidery style with Venetian and Italian influences that dates back to the 14th century. Lefkara lace is now included on the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List.
One of the teachers in the training program was Panayiota Demetriou, the chief pleumista (lacemaker) of Kato Drys, a nearby lacemaking village.
Tracy said:
“Panayiota’s expertise in this ancient craft, combined with his passion for heritage preservation and his light-hearted sense of humor, was infectious. We were also lucky as Panayiota cooked us a traditional clay oven meal.
The group of six students, including a recent art graduate, an environmentalist and a teacher, came from across the UK. They took part in the activities, which offered intergenerational learning in a historical setting through a series of workshops over three weeks. Additionally, students took several cultural trips to museums, galleries and heritage sites.
Teresa Grimaldi said:
“Participating in the Grampus Heritage course has given me the time to fully engage and appreciate the crafts and traditions of Cyprus.
“The skills I have learned are transferable and I intend to incorporate them into my practice to help keep these traditions alive.” »
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Tracy added,
“The experience was a masterclass in placemaking. The group was immersed in activities aimed at introducing people to the history and culture of Cyprus. The authenticity and detail really helped establish a connection to this incredible island. We also visited the Larnaca Biennale, whose theme this year was “Home Away From Home”. This seemed particularly relevant, exploring definitions of belonging, from the deepest to the most distant.
Clark: Unique and valuable opportunity to learn traditional Cypriot skills and crafts
Martin Clark, director of Grampus Heritage, said:
“The Grampus Heritage Training Program is a unique and valuable opportunity for people to learn traditional Cypriot skills and crafts in a culturally immersive setting.
“I am confident that the skills and knowledge acquired by Tracy and Teresa will be used to create innovative and inspiring work that will help keep these traditions alive and relevant for future generations.”
Listen to their experiences
Tracy and Teresa will be hosting a party at Boojum&Snark, 105 High Street, Sandown on Thursday 30 November from 7pm to 9pm to share their recent experiences.
Grampus Heritage
Grampus Heritage is a non-profit organization working to promote and preserve traditional Cypriot culture. The organization offers a variety of training programs and workshops on traditional crafts and skills.
Tracy Mikich
Tracy is a creative producer who promotes art and creativity as a means to bring about social change and improve well-being.
Therese Grimaldi
Teresa is an artist who works in a variety of media including painting, sculpture and installation. She is interested in exploring folklore and foreign stories.
News shared by Tracy, in her own words, Ed
