Sowing of Hope – Demeter & Persephone is the title of a mail art call by the Greek Evia Arts Centre inviting artists to participate in an exhibition to be held in Greece and Switzerland.
The call is inspired by the ancient myth of Demeter and Persephone, the mother who lost her daughter to the underworld. Demeter, the Olympian goddess of agriculture, is so sad that she completely forgets her duties and causes a famine that will eventually wipe out the human race.
The Evia Arts Centre states:
“Artists are encouraged to create works expressing the anguish, anticipation, and call to action in the face of these global issues. Their pieces may explore themes of loss, the quest for solutions, or hope for sustainable agriculture and equitable food distribution.
Homeric Hymn to Demeter
I begin to sing of Demeter, the holy goddess with the beautiful hair.
And her daughter too. The one with the delicate ankles, whom Hades
seized. She was given away by Zeus, the loud-thunderer, the one who sees far and wide.
Demeter did not take part in this, she of the golden double-axe, she who glories in the harvest.
She was having a good time, along with the daughters of Okeanos, who wear their girdles slung low.
She was picking flowers: roses, crocus, and beautiful violets.
“The exhibition aims to be a platform for reflection and expression, encouraging artists to address the theme through contemporary art and highlighting the importance of caring for our planet.”
The terms and conditions are:
Exhibitions
- Only works on paper (painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, photography, etc.) are accepted, without frames or glass.
- Each artist may submit up to two works measuring 21×29.7 cm 8.3×11.7 inches (A4).
- Artists can decorate the envelope, which will also be on display.
- The works must be signed by the artist and will be published unless they contain offensive content.
- Artists must clearly include their name and email address on the back of the artwork.
- No entry fee. No jury. No sale.
- No return of artworks; all submissions will become part of the permanent collection of the Evia Arts Centre.
- Deadline: May 16, 2025
Evmorfia Ghika Rachouti and Fedra Rachouti will curate an exhibition in Greece in 2025 and in Switzerland in 2026.
The illustration: Demeter rejoiced, for her daughter was by her side (detail) by Walter Crane, public domain
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