Psaltries Choir of Melbourne

Contact Psaltries Choir of Melbourne

Since the beginning of 2022, a branch of the Psaltries Choir, an artistic vocal ensemble, was established in Melbourne. Regular rehearsals and classes are also held under the direction of Nektaria Karantzi and locally coordinated by Ioanna Nikoloulea. The Psaltries Choir of Melbourne specialises in and is devoted to the dissemination and study of Byzantine chanting, highlighting the beauty of the female approach to Byzantine Hymns.

Projects

Psalm 135 / Psaltries of Melbourne (dir. Nektaria Karantzi)

News & Media

Preserving tradition: The Psaltries Choir of Melbourne and the beauty of Byzantine music, 17 May 2024, The Greek Herald

Anthea Sidiropoulos

Anthea 'Jewels' Sidiropoulos

Contact Anthea

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Anthea ‘Jewels’ Sidiropoulos is recognised as a “daughter of the diaspora” A seasoned performer with a passion for bringing people together through music. She has developed a unique sound that blends indie folk rock blues with traditional Greek influences, derived from the vintage Greek folk songs of her upbringing.

Anthea has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including nominations and finalist positions such as International Songwriting Competition, Australian Songwriting Association and MusozAustralia, Antipodes Song Festival. Her powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world, earning her praise from music critics and fellow musicians alike.

With a focus on social community cohesion, Anthea’s volunteer time and talents to and for various causes, has earned her the Victorian State Government Award for Excellence in the Arts, Multicultural Ambassador for AirIt AMRAP, the UNESCO Ambassador for Peace, The National Ethnic Multicultural Broadcast Councils Victorian rep for Women broadcasters, Music Victoria’s Multicultural Women’s committee and recently appointed Vice President of The Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, and Multicultural Ambassador for Blues Music Victoria, as she continues using music as a tool for bringing people of all backgrounds together. She has composed music for poetry and storytelling by published writers, showcasing her ability to connect with audiences on a deep and emotional level. Anthea’s performances have taken her to a global level with shows in the USA, Florida, New Orleans, San Francisco, Cyprus, and Greece, known for their vitality and energy, with each show offering a diverse range of musical styles and influences. Whether performing solo or with her band, she brings a unique blend of multicultural diversity to the stage, creating an experience that is both powerful and unforgettable.

In addition to her live performances, Anthea is working on a variety of projects. Her dedication to her craft and her commitment to using music as a force for positive change make her a truly inspiring artist. For Anthea ‘Jewels’ Sidiropoulos, music is more than just a career – it is a calling, a way to connect with others and make a difference in the world. With her passion, talent, and dedication, she
is sure to continue making waves in the music industry for years to come.

TESTIMONIALS

“Undeniably talented with a voice that stems from a soulful heart” Therese Virtue, The Boite 2019

“Immediately experiencing Anthea Sidiropoulos when in song, is to be baptised by the igneous extrusion of magma erupting from deep within her soul” – Dean Kalimniou Neos Kosmos 2012

“Singer/songwriter Anthea Sidiropoulos is another find… “In a foreign land” is so very right on, and so heartbreakingly sung” Ari Davidow, ABC reviewer Best Folk release The Fig Tree CD 2004

“A dynamic voice full of passion and soul with powerhouse rhythm section to match” – Barry Maxwell radio presenter

“Blues on the Hill” former President Blues Music Victoria 2022

News & Media

Anthea’s Rebetika
Foreign Land
Without You (Δίχως εσέ) Music by Arthur Rorris/Poetry by Nikiforos Vrettakos
DISTOMO – Music by Arthur Rorris/ Poetry by Nikiforos Vrettakos/ Vocals by Anthea Sidiropoulos

Art Connect

Art Connect South Gippsland

Contact Art Connect South Gippsland

M 0407 219 639

M 0412 446 990

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Art Connect South Gippsland is a vibrant arts advocacy group, nurturing creativity and fostering an inclusive space for artists at every stage of their journey. A platform to celebrate, encourage, and champion art in regional Victoria, this community initiative has introduced a needed space in Gippsland where artists converge to explore, learn, and collaborate.

The essence of Art Connect South Gippsland lies in its inclusive ethos, welcoming evolving, and established artists alike. For the evolving artist, it serves to push boundaries and unearth their unique voice. Meanwhile, established artists find a supportive environment to showcase their work and artistic statements.

At the heart of Art Connect South Gippsland is a spirit of collaboration and networking, where artists come together to create, mentor, share, promote, facilitate, and learn from one another.

Initiated by two Greek Australians, George Manis (founding director) and Tony Parisi (office bearer/artist), the Art Connect committee also includes Nicole Smith (media advisor/photographer), and Jill Bartholomeusz, all providing a wealth of experience, support and dedication to this artistic venture. Additionally, the guidance of advisors Doug Cain, Sarah Mackay, and Rowena Ashley further enrich its endeavours.

Art Connect South Gippsland actively facilitates and organizes events, providing a platform for artists to showcase their talent and engage with a wider audience. Although recently founded, its efforts have been recognized by nominations for the Community Event of The Year in both 2022 and 2023, a testament to its contribution to the local art/cultural landscape.

Launched in 2023, The Art Connect South Gippsland Art Trail was nominated for an Australia Day 2024 Community Event of the Year Award.

The open studio Art Trail was highly successful in achieving its following objectives-
1. Attracting visitors to regional Victoria (South Gippsland), promoting the region’s creative industries—artists, galleries, and hospitality providers
2. Showcasing the diverse range of fine arts and crafts, making artists’ works more accessible to the public through artists’ open studios and various hospitality venues offering exhibition space, creating opportunity for interaction between locals and visitors and allowing glimpses into creative processes
3. Fostering collaboration within the arts community and between other sectors, such as connecting artists with each other, with local galleries and art groups in different towns
4. Contributing to arts businesses and activities by creating new income streams for artists, such as selling their work through the Arts Trail
5. Engaging with Shire Councils to facilitate the Arts Trail Event as an ongoing annual event
6. Identifying/developing a comprehensive database of practicing regional artists in South Gippsland

Art Connect South Gippsland’s events have been proudly supported by local Shire Council and Regional Arts Victoria, strengthening its connection to a broader artistic network and resources.
Art Connect South Gippsland isn’t merely an organization; it is a collective passion that thrives on the amalgamation of diverse artistic expressions, fostering an environment where art is nurtured, celebrated, and cherished. It is a catalyst for creativity, and a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives.

News & Media
Art Connect South Gippsland: Celebrating art and community, The Greek Herald, 19 January 2024

Events/Publication links
Visit South Gippsland
Sentinel Times
South Gippsland Shire Council

Athanasios Kalamaras

Athanasios (Arthur) Kalamaras

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Athanasios (Arthur) Kalamaras, a Greek-Australian artist known as West Australia’s foremost figurative sculptor, has a rich artistic heritage in both Greek and Australian culture. Born in Florina, Greece, in 1950, his family relocated to Western Australia when he was a year old. His father, Leonidas, a celebrated Greek artist, and his mother, Vasso, a sculptor, poet, and playwright, fostered a creative environment. Athanasios was also influenced by his uncle, Dimitris Kalamaras, a prominent Greek sculptor.

His artistic exploration began with extensive travels across Europe from 1968 to 1972. He later pursued formal studies in sculpture, graduating from W.A.I.T (Curtin University) in Perth in 1974, simultaneously obtaining a diploma from the Pedagogic Academy. His study and travel to museums and archaeological sites across Bulgaria, Poland, Italy, and Greece, introduced him to diverse sculptural styles and techniques.
In the 1970s, he was commissioned to craft wood carvings for a Catholic Church in Perth, creating powerful pieces such as “12 Stations of the Cross” and a life-size sculpture of Christ on the Cross. This marked the beginning of his increasing popularity in Australia, with his works displayed prominently across the country.

While initially experimenting with modern and abstract concepts, Athanasios eventually embraced principles from the Renaissance and Classical Greek antiquity. His mastery extended to hard materials like stone and marble, reviving the ancient sculpting techniques.
Noteworthy among his creations is the monumental memorial “Minmarra – Gun Gun” (later renamed “Yorkas Nyinning”), commemorating pioneer women of Western Australia and incorporating Aboriginal symbols. This significant piece, completed at age 27, symbolizes women’s role in the region’s development and remains a highlight at King’s Park Botanical Gardens in Perth, WA. Other monumental stone sculptures, include “Goddess of Athena” and “The Mel of the Wargle,” reflecting a deep connection to his roots and diverse cultures.
His use of various mediums, from sandstone sculptures like “Kouros and Kori”, to a 2-meter wooden sculpture of the “Mother and Child,” showcases his versatility across materials and forms.

Beyond his artistic endeavours, he played a pivotal role in establishing the “J Shed Art Studios,” a hub for arts and culture in Fremantle, WA during the early 1990s.

Throughout his career, Athanasios has exhibited his works extensively, participating in solo and joint exhibitions across Australia. Notably, his 2006 exhibition at the Vafopouleio Cultural Centre in Thessaloniki marked a significant return to his birthplace in Greece.
Athanasios Kalamaras’ artistic legacy remains a testament to his dedication to ancient principles, his mastery of diverse materials, and his profound connection to both his Greek roots and Australian landscapes.

News & Media

A fusion of cultures an ancient inspiration in Western Australia, The Greek Herald, 5 January 2024

Group Exhibitions

1972 W.A.I.T. (Curtin University of Technology), Perth

1973 W.A.I.T. (Curtin University of Technology), Perth

1974 Undercroft Exhibitions at the University of Western Australia, Perth

Western Australian Art Gallery – Channel 7 Exhibition, Perth

Mount Street Perth Gallery -Final Year Student Exhibition

1975 W.A.I.T. (Curtin University of Technology), Perth

1976 Dalkeith Council Exhibition

1977 Architecture Building W.A.I.T. Exhibition

1978 Fremantle Art Centre

1979 Concert Hall, Perth

Gallery 52

1980 Quentin Gallery

1981 Quentin Gallery

Fremantle Art Centre

Frater Gallery, Melbourne

1982 Quentin Gallery

Ethnic Artists’ Exhibition

Fine Art Gallery Exhibition

Fremantle Arts Centre W.A

Sculptor’s Survival Kit Exhibition

Concert Hall

1983 Claremont School of Art Gallery- Lecturers Exhibition

Albany Art Exhibition

1985 Claremont School of Art Gallery

1988 Claremont School of Art exhibition “The Birth of Venus” Exhibiton

2006 Vafopouleio Cultural Centre, Municipality of Thessaloniki, Greece

Major Commissions

1978 Christ on the Cross- life-size (6 mt)wood carving

14 Panels Wood Carving Reliefs New Catholic Church, City Beach, Perth

1979 “Yorkas Nyinning- a place where the spirits of women rest”, large (H 2mts x W 16mts) sandstone relief in Kings Park, WA

1982 “Caryatios” 4 stone carved sculptures for the Wittenoom Apartments in Mount Street, Kings Park.

Represented

W.A.I.T. Aquisition Aluminium Sculpture

Fremantle Sandstone Megalithic Sculpture “Goddess of Athena”

Canberra Ministry for Ethnic Affairs- two bronze sculptures

Melbourne Ex- Premier Hammer – Bronze Sculpture

New Zealand Wood Carving Sculpture “Lovers”

Greece Church in Attica “St Friday” – Wood Carving

Archbishop Wood Carving Panel

Bulgaria Sofia – Interior Tempera Wall Paintings

Hostel “Atlantis”

Apartment “Altantis”

Apartment “Gods of Olympus”

Plovdiv – Theme Atlantis

USA Bronze Sculpture

Selected Bibliography

Stelios Lydakis, Hellenic Sculpture, Melissa, 1981, page 339

“Ellinismos” newspaper, Australia, 19 July 1980

Kalamaras, Sculpture and Painter Exhibition, Hellenic Festival “1981 Victorian Artists” Society Galleries, Melbourne

Niki Loizidi, Greek Artists Abroard, Ekdotikis Athinon, 1983

“The West Australian” newspaper, 15 August 1985

“Sunday Times” magazine, 18 August 1985

Chrysanthos Christou, Professor Emeritus of History of Art Academic, Greek Artists Abroad, 1988, page 325-326

Dictionary of Greek Artists, Melissa, 1998, volume 2, page 73

Athanasios Kalamaras Exhibition Catalogue of 2006, Vafopouleio Cultural Centre in Thessaloniki, Greece.

AKalamaras Spirit of Women, Sandstone wall, Kings Park, WA

Leonidas Kalamaras

Contact for more information

M 0414 330 119

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In memory of Leonidas Kalamaras, with the family’s request that the following excerpt and images about the life and work of Leonidas, be used for inclusion in the Greek Australian Art Directory (GAAD).

Leonidas Kalamaras achieved international acclaim as both a sculptor and a painter, earning numerous awards for his unique work showcased in exhibitions held in Greece and Australia over the years. He was born in Florina, Greece, in 1932. In 1950, he immigrated to Perth, Western Australia, to reunite with his father, who had emigrated to Manjimup in 1924. In Manjimup, Leonidas, along with his wife Vasso and their young son Athanasios, helped establish and cultivate the land his father had purchased, balancing his passion for the arts with the responsibilities of farm life and providing for his growing family. Their youngest son, Constantinos, arrived soon after, but Leonidas managed to continue his artistic studies.

He returned to study sculpture for a year at the Athens School of Fine Arts and furthered his studies at the School of Fine Arts in Perth, ultimately obtaining a Diploma in Sculpture. In 1968, he was appointed as a Professor in the Sculpture Department at the Claremont School of Art, where he organized and developed the curriculum for the department. He held this position until his retirement. He was a member of the Chamber of Fine Arts of Greece and the Greek Sculptures Association. In 1976, he began receiving commissions, and in 1980, he held his first solo exhibition in Athens, followed by a similar exhibition in Perth. In 1981, he received national sponsorship from the “Community Art Board Australia Council” to exhibit his work in Athens, leading to more exhibitions in Greece (Athens, Thessaloniki, Florina) and Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth). In 2004, he was honoured with national sponsorship by the “Department of Culture and Arts,” Government of Western Australia, to exhibit his work in Thessaloniki.

The Kalamaras family boasts a rich artistic legacy, with Leonidas’s brother being a professor of Sculpture in Greece, and Leonidas’s sons excelling as both sculptors and painters. Constantinos practiced as an architect for many years before becoming a lecturer at TAFE in Perth. Leonidas’s wife, Vasso, is a published writer who has received awards for her accomplished work.
In his own words, Leonidas once stated, “Sculpture is my primary art, but I also engage in painting as I find sculpture to be quite demanding. I am drawn to the human figure, as it provides ample room for self-expression. My desire is for reality to serve as the foundation for abstraction in my art. I strive to remain minimally influenced by contemporary trends; I am not one for modern movements.”

“His copper sculptures set off the human figure and embrace a series of posture, each one of which highlights the dignity of our human existence.” Quote by Murray Mason, The West Australian (Leonidas Kalamaras”, Thessaloniki, Exhibition Catalogue May 2004)

“One of the most characteristic and important figures among our creators, among the Greek living abroad, distinguished for his love for the human element and his contemplation on basic artistic and human values. An excellent artist tracing out a long and very important route, gifted with versatile talent as regards modern Greek art, able to develop both aspects of artistic expression, sculpture and painting, with the same creative sensibility.” Quote by Vasilis Papageorgopoulos, Mayor of Thessaloniki in 2004. (“Leonidas Kalamaras”, Thessaloniki, Exhibition Catalogue May 2004)

“He is distinguished for the extent and the richness of his morphoplastic language and for not having forgotten his Greek descent, something that is proven, more than anything, from his subjects, his quests, his formations; since the human shape is his definitive subject, he uses a morphoplastic language, which does not sacrifice the virtual reality, his quests aim at expressing the substantial and the everlasting.” Quote by Crysanthos Christou, Professor Emeritus of History of Art Academic. (“Leonidas Kalamaras”, Thessaloniki, Exhibition Catalogue May 2004)

An earlier quote from Crysanthos Christou, Academic and Professor Emeritus of Art History in 1997 reads, “One of our creatives Greeks, who are dispersed throughout the world, is the sculptor and painter, Leonidas Kalamaras, who lives and works in Australia. One of the most distinguished, well known and remarkable contemporary artists, Kalamaras’ work is distinguished by the extent of its richness and the language of its moulding of form. Kalamaras never forgot his Hellenic origins, something that is demonstrated in his writing statements and research. Because the human figure is his defined theme, he uses figure-forming vocabulary, without sacrificing his aim of a visual reality which expresses the essential and the diachronic. What makes even more of an impression in Kalamaras’ artistic endeavours is his individualistic use of an expressionistic vocabulary which gives so much tone to his sculpture and painting.”

News & Media

Renowned sculptor and painter, The Greek Herald, 8 December 2023

Individual Exhibitions
1980 ORA Gallery, Athens.
1980 Miller Gallery, Perth.
1981 KOCHLAIS Gallery, Thessaloniki.
1981 Greek Festival, Melbourne.
1982 ORA Gallery, Athens (with financial support of the Council of Fine Arts of Australia).
1982 Holdsworth Gallery, Sydney.
1982 Realities Gallery, Melbourne.
1982 Chapman Gallery, Canberra.
1983 Avante Garde Gallery, Perth.
1985 Holdsworth Gallery, Syndey
1986 Art Gallery- Society for Macedonian Studies, Thessaloniki
1986 Salonika National Gallery, Thessaloniki.
1988 EIRMOS Gallery, Thessaloniki.
1997 “Melina Merkouri” Cultural Centre, after an honorary invitation by the municipality of Athens.
1997 Hall of the Greek Sculptors Association, after an honorary invitation.
1997 F.S.F. “ARISTOTLE” Hall, Municipality of Florina.
2004 Vafopouleio Cultural Centre, “Leonidas Kalamaras”, Thessaloniki, 3-23 May 2004.
2007 “Sculpture, Landscape and Soul Exhibition”, after an honorary invitation by the Cultural Organisation of the Municipality of Athens & Australian Embassy of Athens, Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Athens, 4 October 2007.

Group Exhibitions
1965-1966 Guild Prize- Guild Annual Exhibition, University of W.A. First Prize.
1967-1968 Purchasing Prize – Manjimup Art Prize, W.A. First Prize.
1969-1971 Purchasing Prize – Bunbury Art Prize, W.A. First Prize.
1971 Invited – Tranfield Art Prize for Sculpture, Sydney.
1971-1972 Invited – Painting and Drawing Exhibition, W.A.I.T
1972 12th Panhellenic Exhibition, Athens.
1973 Invited – Sculpture Exhibition, W.A.I.T.
1974 Western Australian Artists, W.A Art Gallery, Festival of Perth.
1975 W.A Sculptors, Dunsborough Gallery, Festival of Perth.
1979 Lecturers Claremont School of Art, Gallery 52, Claremont.
1980-1981 Lecturers Claremont School of Art, Quentin Gallery, Claremont.
1981 Lecturers Claremont School of Art, Fremantle Art Centre Gallery, Fremantle.
1982 Invited Sculptor’s Survival Kit, Fremantle Art Centre Gallery, 0th Anniversary.
1982 Invited – Mobil/Pegasus Art Award Art Gallery, W.A.
From 1983 until 1996 he participated in the Gallery C.S.A Lectures Claremont School of Art Exhibition.

Works of Leonidas Kalamaras can be found in:
• National Art Gallery – Alexandros Soutzos Museum, Athens.
• “Ionas Vorres” Museum, Paiania, Attica.
• Art Gallery of the Society for Macedonian Studies, Thessaloniki.
• Albany Art Gallery, W.A.
• Bunbury Art Gallery, W.A.
• Western Australia Institute of Technology.
• Manjimup Town Hall, W.A.
• Claremont School of Art, Perth.
• F.S.F. “ARISTOTLE”, Florina.

Distinctions
In 1981 he was honoured with the national sponsorship by the “Community Art Board Australia Council” in order to exhibit his work in Athens.
In 2004 he was honoured with the national sponsorship by the “Department of Culture and the Art”, Government of Western Australia, in order to exhibit his work in Thessaloniki.

Bibliography
• Veatriki Spiliadi, “The human Presence in the sculpture and painting of Leonidas Kalamaras”, “Kathimerini” newspaper, February 23, 1980
• Stellios Lykdakis, The Greek Sculptors, “Melissa” editions, Athens, 1981, page 340.
• Murray Mason, Vigour, elegance and messages in the sculpture of Leonidas Kalamaras, Exhibition Catalogue, Kochlias Gallery, January 1981.
• Deryn Thorpe, “Leon and Vasso Kalamaras Migrants, Artists, Australians”, “Fremantle Arts Review”, April 1990.
• Alan Burton, Combining the arts in a family way, Thursday magazine, “The West Australia”, 1981.
• Giorgos Mavroedes, The painter Giorgos Mavroedes for the work of Leonidas Kalamaras, Exhibition Catalogue, Kochlias Gallery, January 1981.
• Veatriki Spiliadi, “Poetry and Sculpture by two immigrants, Vasso and Leonidas Kalamaras”, “Kathimerini” newspaper, March 21, 1981.
• Chrysanthos Christou, Contemporary Greek Sculpture an edition of Emporiki Bank of Greece, Athens, 1982, page284.
• Bill Hawthorn, Contemporary Painters and Sculptures, W.A, 1982.
• Dora IIiopoulo-Rogan, Critical Note in “Kathinerini” newspaper January 14, 1982.
• Veatriki Spiliadi, Painting and Sculpture of Leonidas Kalamaras”, “Eleftherotypia” newspaper, January 24, 1982.
• Niki Liozidi, Greek Artists Abroad, Athens 1983, pages 141-247.
• Nina Kokkalidou-Nahmia, “The Sculptor and Painter Leonidas Kalamaras”, “Thessaloniki” newspaper, 1986.
• Veatriki Spiliadi, “The Kalamaras Exhibition Art ORA Gallery” ARTLOOK magazine, Perth 1980 and CHRONIKI magazine Melbourne, 1980.
• Viviane Morris, “Leonidas Kalamaras back in the lands that inspire him”, Neos Kosmos” newspaper, Melbourne, 1997.
• Chrysanthos Christou, Professor Emeritus of History of Art, Academic, “The Sculptor of Leonidas Kalamaras”, Exhibition Catalogue, Hall F.S.F. “Aristotle”, Municipality of Florina, August 1997.
• Babi Raki, “Leonidas Kalamaras: The Distinguished Sculptor who honours the Greek Name in Australia”, Ellinikos Kirykas” newspaper, Syndey, September 1998.
• Antiopi Maniati, “Artistic Impressions from the Sculpting Exhibition of Leonidas Kalamaras” “Euro-IOS” newspaper, Athens, 1998.
• Katerina K. Terzopoulou, “Leonidas and Vasso Kalamaras. The Sculptor and Writer”, “Epiloges” magazine “Macedonia” newspaper, Thessaloniki 2000.
• “Leonidas Kalamaras”, Thessaloniki, Exhibition Catalogue May 2004.
• Literary Periodical of The Greek-Australian Cultural League of Melbourne, Issue Number 51- 2005. Page 31-38.