Do you believe in coincidences? As the years go by I have begun to believe that the universe has incredible timing and knows just when you are ready and open for a particular experience.

It was then that by total chance, coincidence or fate (call it what you will) my mum came across an ad in the local newspaper announcing the commencement of a series of art lessons by a well-known artist, Ageliki Tseva, close to my home town. Now, I had, many years ago, wanted to attend pottery classes with Ageliki, but for one reason or another it just hadn’t worked out – bad timing, whatever. I wasn’t aware that she was now teaching art as well as pottery. I was so excited that I immediately called her to secure a place on the course!

Well we’re now 7 lessons into our course and I can honestly say it is probably the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time. I had taken some other art classes in the past but none had really fulfilled my expectations and my needs. Ageliki, however, is more than I could have hoped for. Her approach to art is so open, free and liberating.

One of the things I’m trying to get over in my painting is a ‘fear’ of a blank canvas. Fear of not finding the ‘right’ inspiration. Fear of making mistakes. Fear of failing. Fear of disappointing. Fear that my art will not be technically correct. Will not look real.

I think that with Ageliki I might be able to overcome this. She believes that there are no mistakes, as such, in art. What one might call a mistake can in fact lead you in another direction. Art is an expression of the soul. An emotional outlet that should be practiced for the health of our psyche. A way of externalizing our inner worlds. So, just for that fact, there can be no ‘wrong’ art, as such.

Ageliki uses mostly acrylics in her paintwork but she skillfully combines many medium together to create vibrant works that reflect her zest for life, her curiosity and her willingness to look at things in a different way.

Last weekend I was priveleged to be present at an event that was held in her honour. A tribute celebrating her 50 years of contribution to the world of art. Prominent speakers narrated their impressions and experience of Ageliki’s art and all that it means to her and to us. And Ageliki was hugely generous when she gave each and every one of us a book of her work in the preservation of the art of traditional dough sculpture and prints of some of her works which are pictured below. A few days later we also received a copy of the dvd of the documentary that was made of her life and work!

I felt and am incredibly proud to be one of Ageliki Tseva’s students and I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for the wonderful gift she has given me and others. It is certainly a rarity today when someone of her creative talent gives of herself so much and so generously.

Pictured below are some photos of the tribute to Ageliki Tseva and some of the works in her art gallery that we are very fortunate to be inspired by as she teaches us in this very same space.

Some interesting information about Ageliki Tseva, she….

• was born in the town of Koropi in Attica where she still works today.
• took lessons in painting and ceramics.
• has been actively involved, since 1977,  in a continuous pursuit for the cultural development of the Mesogeia region.
• became a member of the Artistic Chamber of Greece (1977) whereupon she was elected to sit twice on the Decorative Applications Committee and once on the Penalty Committee.
• founded the A. Tseva Cultural Centre in Koropiin 1977 and in 1985 the Museum of Art & Tradition – Museum of ‘Embroidered’ Dough.
• has given lectures on many Folkloric Art symposiums.
• has published 3 books on art and folk tradition
• has collaborated with Greek magazines, newspapers and radio stations.
• has taken part in several international and 41 joint and 100 personal exhibitions in Greece in painting, ceramics and sculpture.
• has won 4 prizes and 2 recommendations from the Cultural Ministry of Greece and other artistic foundations