FOUNDING LAW & PURPOSE
The Preparatory and Professional School of Fine Arts of Panormos Tinos was established in 1955 under Law 3136/1955 in Pyrgos Tinos, a village with a long-standing tradition in fine arts particularly in marble craftsmanship and has produced many artists. The school was renamed as the Higher School of Fine Arts & Marble Craftsmanship Panormos Tinos in 2025 under Law 5179/2025.
The school was created with the aspiration to preserve and perpetuate the tradition of marble craftsmanship and to 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 students who have exceptional artistic talent to continue their studies at university education institutions in related artistic fields (such as the Athens School of Fine Arts, or the Department of Visual and Applied Arts of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki or other university departments or faculties specializing in fine arts in Greece). Graduates of the school are also eligible for admission to university education institutions in related artistic disciplines corresponding to their degree title, following their successful participation in placement examinations in accordance with Law 3404/2005 (A’ 260).
The school was initially placed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and admitted students, after entry exams, who had completed primary education or above. 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 academic N. Louvaris, under law 747 of 1943, which did not become realized due to the particular conditions of the time, but nevertheless became a historical precedent
and a starting point for subsequent efforts.
DEVELOPMENT
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 curriculum. The marble craftsmanship workshop and the dining hall, however, are located in facilities owned by the Municipality of Panormos Tinos, which were granted to the school specifically for these functions.
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 Evaggelistria of Tinos from its establishment to the present day. Through annual financial contributions, which initially included the salaries of the teaching staff, the Panhellenic Holy Foundation of Evaggelistria of Tinos has provided the necessary funds for the students’ meals and the overall functioning of the school, playing a vital role in its sustainability. The Fraternity 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 its modernization.
RESULTS
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. Students are admitted through entry exams, which take place at the school around late September to early October. It is a three year program and the school accepts students who hold a high school diploma or above. Five courses are taught: marble craftsmanship, sculpture, drawing & painting, art history, and architectural drafting. In the 3 rd year of study graduating students present their thesis works in a final art exhibition. Up to three graduates, according to their placement in the final grade ranking, are admitted without the need of applying through the entry exam process every year to the Athens School of Fine Arts or to the Department of Fine and Applied Arts at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki or to other Departments or schools of higher education institutions in Greece that specialize in Fine Arts.
