As ACS Athens celebrates its 80th year of academic excellence and global impact, we are reminded not only of the knowledge imparted within our classrooms but also of the transformative power of the Arts, Literature, and Humanities. These disciplines have always been at the heart of our mission to shape conscious, compassionate, and active citizens of the world. The 1st Annual Artists & Authors Spotlight - Exhibition, held on December 16–20, 2024, stands as a testament to that legacy.

When we set out to curate last year’s exhibition, the title came almost naturally: Introspective Dialogues, A Journey through Visual and Literary Narratives. The idea was born out of the unique constellation of participating artists. Their works had little in common stylistically or thematically—except for one essential thread: every artist was connected to the school. They were alumni, parents, members of the faculty and staff. This shared belonging became the invisible chain that held the exhibition together.

Our intention was to create a space where dialogues could emerge—between the audience and each artwork, and between the artworks themselves. As viewers walked through the exhibition, silent conversations unfolded within them, sparked by what they saw. Each piece was placed with deliberate care, in dialogue with neighboring works, across from another piece, or in conversation with the room as a whole.

Yet the most moving aspect of the exhibition extended beyond the artworks themselves. A different kind of dialogue took place “behind the scenes,” among the many departments and individuals who made this event possible. Dialogues led by the ACS Athens Global Alumni team, Office of Development and the Curator of Spotlight, whose vision and dedication brought it to life. Their leadership was supported by a wide network of contributors—including the Communications Department, the Art Department, the Global Alumni Team Student Volunteers, the Media Studio, Theater Department and the Maintenance Department. Together, these groups exemplified what it means to be a true community: people of different talents and backgrounds working in harmony to create beauty and culture. 

The Spotlight embodied the ACS Athens spirit of being Always Connected. Visitors—whether walking through the physical gallery on campus or exploring the digital exhibition—were invited to engage in a reflective dialogue with each piece. The art and literature on display carried the imprint of diverse journeys yet converged in a shared narrative: the enduring power of creativity to connect, heal, and inspire.

The Global Virtual Gallery was and is an innovative hybrid approach that allowed alumni, faculty, students, and parents to share their work from every corner of the globe. Recognizing that our community extends far beyond Athens, the Virtual Corner ensured that voices and visions from afar were not only represented but celebrated alongside those physically present.

The list of participants itself was a reflection of the richness of our community. Esteemed authors such as Dr. Peggy Pelonis (President of ACS Athens), Sara Hamdan (Class of 2002), Dr. Georgina Spyres (Class of 1994) , and Maria Rousakis (Class of 1992) shared their literary voices alongside celebrated artists like Farida El Gazzar (Class of 1993 & ACS Athens Faculty), Eirini Ignatiadi (Class of 2014), Halid Chrysinas (Class of 2015), and Vivian Zotali (Class of 1994). Faculty, students, alumni, parents, and retirees stood shoulder to shoulder in this creative dialogue, proving once again that the ACS Athens community is bound not only by shared history but by a collective passion for expression.

Halid Chrysinas is an extraordinary artist who draws deeply from his personal history to create a cosmos where imagination and reality seamlessly intertwine. Working with markers, acrylics, and Indian ink, he shapes a new world through his unique vision, weaving in stories and memories of significance that surround him. He builds striking contradictions—optimistic yet intense, playful yet profound. His characters seem to emerge from the past, present, and future all at once., as though unfolding simultaneously from a place one “wants to return to, but has not yet visited”. Encountering them, part of you longs to step inside the painting to meet and play with them, while another part is compelled to pose the very existential questions that have preoccupied philosophers for centuries.

Farida El Gazaar’s quiet strength is equally captivating. Inspired both by natural elements and urban forms, her canvases shift between vibrant, saturated red skies and serene, nocturnal blues. Her work feels like a whisper to “the eyes”, suggesting a hidden secret waiting to be discovered and held within us. Even when her images convey intensity or contradiction, they remain immersed in harmony and peace, offering viewers a sense of calm discovery.

Eirini Ignatiadi emerges from the world of Architecture, yet as an artist she is drawn to the sea and its infinite shades of blue—a theme deeply rooted in her childhood in Greece. Through flawless gradients of vibrant hues and shimmering reflections of water, she conveys both personal history and emotions of nostalgia, while at the same time finding a constant source of inspiration. Working with acrylic paints on wooden panels, she captures movement and fluidity with striking intensity. Her colors captivate, carrying the viewer into a space where memory, emotion, and the sea itself seem to merge.

Sophia Soseilos’s multicultural background and different areas of expertise have given her the freedom to express herself through diverse artistic forms. As an artist, she delves into the fragile human psyche, often exploring themes of isolation, vulnerability, and pain. Working with acrylic paints, pastels, and charcoal, Sophia invites viewers on a meditative journey into the depths of the human condition. Her expressive compositions embody the anguish of both body and mind, yet they also transcend it. Different layers of expression converge, creating a fluid sense of imagery, inviting reflection and inner dialogue.

The collaboration between current Academy students and Humanities faculty, who contributed original works that underscored the role of ACS Athens courses in cultivating curiosity, empathy, and artistic sensibility. For many, it was a chance to witness how the Humanities—literature, history, philosophy, and the arts—serve as the foundation of education that shapes who we are and who we become. These disciplines guide us to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and connect deeply with others, values that resonate far beyond the classroom.

The success of the inaugural Spotlight has already paved the way for what promises to become a treasured tradition. The sense of pride, belonging, and inspiration it generated has energized our global alumni network and reaffirmed the importance of celebrating artistic and literary achievements. It was more than an exhibition; it was an invitation to share in a collective story, woven together through brushstrokes, words, and narratives.

As ACS Athens enters its 81th year, the Spotlight reminds us that our legacy is not only defined by academic milestones but also by the creativity, imagination, and courage of our people. It reaffirms that the Arts and Humanities are not secondary pursuits but essential forces that shape us into compassionate leaders and thoughtful global citizens.

In celebrating the past, showcasing the present, and anticipating the future, the Artists & Authors Spotlight Exhibition embodies what it means to be part of ACS Athens: a community that nurtures talent, celebrates diversity, and remains connected across generations and geographies. It is in this creative spirit that we continue to thrive—together.

Thank You to Our Participating Artists & Authors!

Authors:  Dr. Peggy Pelonis (ACS Athens President), Hercules Lianos (ACS Athens Alumni & Faculty), Amalia Zavacopoulou (ACS Athens Faculty), Academy Humanities Students, Pandora Bethea (Class of 1972), Efrosini (Cindy) Camatsos (Class of 1994), Dr. Mariam Elgabry (Class of 2011), Venie Gaki (ACS Athens Faculty), Sara Hamdan (Class of 2002), Peter Hunt (ACS Athens Alumni), Thomas Koulopoulos (Class of 1973), Christine Robinson (Alumni Parent), Maria Rousakis (Class of 1992), Dr. Georgina Spyres (Class of 1994), Andreas Tsokos (ACS Athens Retiree)
Artists:  Halid Chrysinas (Class of 2015), Farida El Gazzar (Class of 1993 & ACS Athens Employee), Elvis Georgiadis (ACS Athens Alumni), Dr. Jenny Grigoropoulou (ACS Athens Employee), Eirini Ignatiadi (Class of 2014), Maria Kokkinou (ACS Athens Alumni), Christina Rocha (ACS Athens Faculty), Despina Kleoni Manousaki (ACS Athens Faculty), Vassilis Mikros (ACS Athens Faculty), Christina Papas (Class of 1999), Alexia Celia Peza (Class of 2014), Ero Lex (Class of 2019), Georgia Solomos (Class of 2018), Filippos Solomos (Class of 2025), Evi Sotiropoulou (ACS Athens Faculty), Leda Tsoukia (ACS Athens Employee and Curator of Spotlight), Vivian Zotali (Class of 1994), Savina Vassiliadis (ACS Athens Community)
Artists & Authors:  Jeff Bear (ACS Athens Retiree), Parthenon Huxley (Class of 1974), Foteini Ariadni Mitreli Masmanidi (ACS Athens Faculty), Sofia Soseilos (ACS Athens Faculty & Department Chair of the Arts)

Upcoming:

We are delighted to announce that the 2nd Annual ACS Athens Artists & Authors Spotlight – Exhibition will take place from January 28 through February 4, 2026. Building on the momentum and success of its inaugural year, the upcoming Spotlight promises to be even more dynamic and interactive—inviting the global ACS Athens community to engage not only as viewers, but as active participants in an ever-evolving dialogue of art, literature, and shared humanity.