FOUNDING LAW & PURPOSE
The Preparatory and Professional School of Fine Arts of Panormos Tinos was established in 1955 under Law 3136/1955, in Pyrgos, on Tinos island, a village which bred many artists and has a long-standing tradition in fine arts and particularly in marble craftsmanship.
The School was created with the aspiration to preserve and perpetuate the tradition of marble craftsmanship, and to rescue, cultivate and develop the artistic talent of young individuals. The aims of the School are to provide students with professional training in the field of Marble Craftsmanship, and to prepare the students who have exceptional artistic talent in order to continue their education at the Athens School of Fine Arts, as stipulated in Article 1, Paragraph 2 of Law 3136/1955. A unique feature of the School is, that each school year the two highest-ranking graduates may enroll directly in the Athens or Thessaloniki School of Fine Arts, without undergoing entrance examinations.
The School was initially placed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and admitted students—after entrance examinations—who had at least completed primary education. The duration of studies, as is still the case today, was three years, and the curriculum was divided into artistic and theoretical subjects.
The first attempt to establish the School is attributed to the Tinian professor and academician N. Louvaris, under Law 747 of 1943 (Government Gazette A/350/19.10.1943), which was not realized as an initiative due to the particular circumstances of the time, but nevertheless it became a historical precedent and a starting point for subsequent efforts.
In 1955, the Preparatory and Professional School of Fine Arts of Panormos Tinos was established. The School was initially housed in the old building of the Girls’ Primary School of Pyrgos. Since then, the premises were renovated, and new classrooms and workshops were built to accommodate the School’s activities. The Marble Craftsmanship Workshop and the dining hall, however, are located in facilities owned by the Municipality of Panormos, which were granted to the School specifically for these functions.
DEVELOPMENT
In 1977, the School came under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, and its supervision was assigned to the Directorate of Fine Arts of the Ministry of Culture under Presidential Decree 941/77, later updated by Presidential Decree 191/2003. Since then, the salaries of the School’s tenure teaching staff have been covered by the Ministry of Culture.
SUPPORTERS
The operation of the School has been significantly supported by the Panhellenic Holy Foundation of the Annunciation of Tinos (P.H.F.A.T.) from its establishment to the present day. Through annual financial contributions, which initially included the salaries of the teaching staff, the P.H.F.A.T. provides the necessary funds for the students’ meals and the overall functioning of the School, playing a vital role in its sustainability. The Brotherhood of Tinians in Athens also played a decisive role in securing the approval of the School’s founding law and has offered invaluable support to the School from its early years. Lastly, the Municipality of Panormos has been supporting the School’s activities in every possible way as well as the efforts towards the modernization of its function. Lastly, the Municipality of Panormos has been supporting the School’s activities in every possible way as well as the efforts towards the modernization of its function.
THE RESULT
Until today, a multitude of students have graduated from our School, many of whom graduated with excellence and, in accordance with the legislation, continued their studies at the Athens School of Fine Arts. Today, our graduates are esteemed professionals, artists, or academic instructors.
STUDIES
Studying at the School is free of charge for Greek and EU citizens, and students are admitted through entrance examinations, which take place at the School around late September to early October. The duration of studies is three years, and the School accepts students who hold at least a middle school diploma. Five courses are taught: Marble Craftsmanship, Sculpture, Painting, Art History, and Architectural Drafting. In the 3rd year of study, students present their diploma thesis project as well, showcasing their work. The top two graduates, based on their grades, from the third and final year of study, are admitted without examinations to the Athens or Thessaloniki School of Fine Arts.
