This June ArtCinema welcomes you to our Summer Prelude Programme. Coinciding with Hydra’s annual cultural calendar, including the opening of the DESTE Foundation’s Project Slaughterhouse exhibition featuring Jamaican artist Nari Ward and the island’s historic Miaoulia Festival celebrating Greek independence.

VIEW OUR FULL PROGRAM HERE

This June, ArtCinema welcomes our 2026 artist residencies, featuring New York artists Rob Pruitt and Jonathan Horowitz, returning alumnus Canadian painter Stephen Appleby-Barr, and Indian multidisciplinary artist Annu Yadav, who will collaborate with local artists and visiting art delegations from Athens, Saudi Arabia, and India.

As part of the programme, ArtCinema collaborated with Rob Pruitt on a new iteration of his renowned Flea Market project - an informal, artist-led marketplace first launched in 1999 and presented internationally from New York to the Venice Biennale - now taking place in Hydra on June 23.

VIEW OUR FULL PROGRAMME BELOW

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Draw Salon with Stephen Appleby-Barr
Across from Alexandra Guest House (follow the signs)

Welcoming back ArtCinema alumnus and devoted animal lover Stephen Appleby-Barr, who will lead a complimentary drawing salon bringing together artists, patrons, and the local community.

Participants will collaborate on a collective artwork using oil, gouache, and Sennelier oil sticks, inspired by the expressive studies of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The salon invites guests of all abilities to explore observation, creativity, and artistic exchange in a relaxed and engaging setting.
During his time in Hydra, Stephen will also continue his celebrated series of Hydra cat paintings. In support of the island’s animal welfare efforts, 100% of proceeds from these works will be donated towards establishing Hydra’s much-needed veterinary clinic. Join us for an afternoon of art, community, and philanthropy, celebrating both creativity and compassion on Hydra.
BIOGRAPHY: Stephen Appleby-Barr is a London-based painter whose richly atmospheric oil paintings conjure dreamlike, uncanny worlds - drawing on the techniques of Old Masters while speaking to a wholly contemporary sensibility. His work has been exhibited and collected across Canada, the United States and Europe, with four solo shows at Robilant+Voena in London, Paris and Milan.

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Rob Pruitt’s Beauty Salon
Location: Across from Gardenia Open-Air Cinema

Ahead of the official opening of his latest site-specific exhibition in Hydra, American contemporary artist Rob Pruitt invited locals and visitors alike to step into Rob Pruitt's Beauty Salon. A playful and participatory artwork located in the bustling shopping lanes of Hydra's main port.

The Beauty Salon offers guests the opportunity to talk about art, creativity, and community while choosing from one of two complimentary services: a free haircut or a nail treatment.
Known internationally for blurring the boundaries between art and everyday life, Pruitt transforms the simple rituals of self-care into a shared creative experience, inviting conversation, connection, and a touch of glamour.
Join us for this unique Hydra happening and become part of the artwork itself.

8:00 PM

DESTE Foundation Opening
Location: Project Slaughterhouse

This year, Deste Foundation's Slaughterhouse Project on Hydra will feature Until That Day, an exhibition by Nari Ward.

Nari Ward (b. 1963, St. Andrew, Jamaica; lives and works in New York), who is renowned for his sculptural installations composed of discarded material found and collected in his neighborhood. By re-contextualizing these found objects, Ward creates thought-provoking juxtapositions that address social and political issues surrounding race, poverty, and consumer culture.

9:00 PM

DESTE Foundation: Street Party & Greek Street Food
Location: Hydra Main Port

DESTE Foundation’s annual celebratory party, which spills into the streets of Hydra and welcomed all to join.

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Draw Salon with Stephen Appleby-Barr
Across from Alexandra Guest House (follow the signs)

Welcoming back ArtCinema alumnus and devoted animal lover Stephen Appleby-Barr, who will lead a complimentary drawing salon bringing together artists, patrons, and the local community.

Participants will collaborate on a collective artwork using oil, gouache, and Sennelier oil sticks, inspired by the expressive studies of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The salon invites guests of all abilities to explore observation, creativity, and artistic exchange in a relaxed and engaging setting.
During his time in Hydra, Stephen will also continue his celebrated series of Hydra cat paintings. In support of the island’s animal welfare efforts, 100% of proceeds from these works will be donated towards establishing Hydra’s much-needed veterinary clinic. Join us for an afternoon of art, community, and philanthropy, celebrating both creativity and compassion on Hydra.
BIOGRAPHY: Stephen Appleby-Barr is a London-based painter whose richly atmospheric oil paintings conjure dreamlike, uncanny worlds - drawing on the techniques of Old Masters while speaking to a wholly contemporary sensibility. His work has been exhibited and collected across Canada, the United States and Europe, with four solo shows at Robilant+Voena in London, Paris and Milan.

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Rob Pruitt’s Beauty Salon Exhibition Opening
Location: Across from Gardenia Open-Air Cinema

Join us for the official unveiling of Rob Pruitt's Beauty Salon & site-specific Art Exhibition by acclaimed American contemporary artist Rob Pruitt, created especially for Hydra and inspired by the island itself.

Located in the bustling shopping lanes of Hydra's main port, locals and visitors alike are invited to step inside and experience both the artist’s previous and new work firsthand. Guests are also invited to meet the artist and choose from one of two complimentary services: a free haircut or a nail treatment. Along the way, visitors are encouraged to engage in conversations about art, creativity, community, and life itself.
Known internationally for blurring the boundaries between art and everyday experience, Pruitt transforms simple acts of self-care into a shared artistic encounter, creating a work that is as much about human connection as it is about aesthetics.
Taking place during the DESTE Foundation's annual celebrations, which spill into the streets of Hydra and welcome everyone to participate, this special opening embodies the island's unique spirit of accessibility, creativity, and cultural exchange.

7:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Rob Pruitt’s Hydra Flea Market
Location: Historical Archives Museum Of Hydra

Rob Pruitt, in collaboration with ArtCinema and Powerhouse Arts, are thrilled to announce Rob Pruitt’s Hydra Flea Market, a community-minded participatory art concept first launched by Rob in 1999.

The project reimagines the traditional flea market as a living artwork, where artists, collaborators, and friends are invited to set up informal stalls and offer whatever they choose - ranging from original artworks and studio remnants to personal objects, found materials, and unconventional collectibles. Music and food are warmly welcome too!

Disccover more about the participants at Rob Pruitt’s Hydra Flea Market HERE

8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Deste Foundation: Artist Talk
Location: Gardenia Open-Air Cinema

Deste Foundation Event: Artist Talk: Nari Ward in Conversation with Massimiliano Gioni.

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Draw Salon with Stephen Appleby-Barr
Across from Alexandra Guest House (follow the signs)

Welcoming back ArtCinema alumnus and devoted animal lover Stephen Appleby-Barr, who will lead a complimentary drawing salon bringing together artists, patrons, and the local community.

Participants will collaborate on a collective artwork using oil, gouache, and Sennelier oil sticks, inspired by the expressive studies of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The salon invites guests of all abilities to explore observation, creativity, and artistic exchange in a relaxed and engaging setting.
During his time in Hydra, Stephen will also continue his celebrated series of Hydra cat paintings. In support of the island’s animal welfare efforts, 100% of proceeds from these works will be donated towards establishing Hydra’s much-needed veterinary clinic. Join us for an afternoon of art, community, and philanthropy, celebrating both creativity and compassion on Hydra.
BIOGRAPHY: Stephen Appleby-Barr is a London-based painter whose richly atmospheric oil paintings conjure dreamlike, uncanny worlds - drawing on the techniques of Old Masters while speaking to a wholly contemporary sensibility. His work has been exhibited and collected across Canada, the United States and Europe, with four solo shows at Robilant+Voena in London, Paris and Milan.

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | 4:00 - 7:00 PM

Rob Pruitt’s Beauty Salon Exhibition Opening Hours
Location: Across from Gardenia Open-Air Cinema

Visit our daily June summer exhibition of Rob Pruitt's Beauty Salon, a new site-specific work by acclaimed American contemporary artist Rob Pruitt, created especially for Hydra.

Located in the bustling shopping lanes of Hydra's main port, locals and visitors alike are invited to step inside and experience the artist's work firsthand. During select and unexpected appointments, some visitors will have the chance to choose from one of two complimentary services offered by Rob: a free haircut or a nail treatment. Along the way, guests are encouraged to engage in conversations about art, creativity, community, and life itself.
Known internationally for blurring the boundaries between art and everyday experience, Pruitt transforms simple acts of self-care into a shared artistic encounter, creating a work that is as much about human connection as it is about aesthetics.
Come and experience this extraordinary new work—and become part of the artwork itself.

7:30 PM

Welcome Drinks - Celebrating Hydra Cinema Club
Location: Gardenia Open-Air Cinema

Where we celebrated Hydra’s cinematic history and the unveiled the new Gardenia Open-Air Cinema sign.

Ahead of the film marking 70 years since Hollywood’s first production in Greece, Boy on a Dolphin (1956)—which inspired ArtCinema’s documentary Hydra & Sophia: Echoes of a Dolphin—we gather to honour the legacy of the Gardenia Open-Air Cinema.
As part of this celebration, we will unveil a commemorative sign marking the cinema’s original opening in 1953. This moment will serve as a welcome gathering for locals who wish to celebrate Hydra’s cinematic history, including those who participated in the film, as well as the artists who designed the new sign.
The sign is the work of four Hydra-based artist friends—Jacqueline Savidge, Dimitris Fousekis, Maribe Lambert, and Andreas Horstmann—who share a deep love of cinema. Their collaboration stands as a true expression of collective creativity and friendship, echoing the collaborative spirit of filmmaking itself.

9:00 PM | Screening Commences

Hydra & Sophia: Echoes of the Dolphin
Location: Gardenia Open-Air Cinema

To honour the Hydriot spirit of Miaoulia Week in Hydra, ArtCinema presented a special screening of Hydra & Sophia: Echoes of a Dolphin, our short film celebrating the island’s cinematic history, heritage, resilience, and cultural memory.

This film marks ArtCinema’s first official film production—an AI-enhanced documentary inspired by the story of Greece’s first Hollywood production filmed in Hydra. In 1956, Italian icon Sophia Loren arrived on the island to star in Boy on a Dolphin, marking a pivotal moment that forever linked Hydra to her international legacy.
Our tribute explores how that encounter between Greece, Italy, and Hollywood brought Hydra’s beauty and culture to a global audience, shaping its cinematic mythology.
Last year, we interviewed Hydriots who remember that era firsthand. Blending personal stories, rare archival material, and performances by Hydra residents, the film is deeply shaped by the community itself. We are profoundly grateful to the islanders and local voices who shared their memories and helped bring this story to life.
This 30-minute experimental short documentary, filmed entirely on Hydra, is directed by acclaimed Greek filmmaker Antonis Sotiropoulos, produced by Georgia Andreou, and originated and produced by ArtCinema founder Amanda Palmer.
Excitingly, new material is now emerging, with previously unseen stories and images being discovered, marking the beginning of a feature-length project scheduled for completion next year to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the international release of Boy on a Dolphin in 1957.

10:00 PM | Screening Commences

The Birthday Party
Location: Gardenia Open-Air Cinema

An Hydra Island Premiere of The Birthday Party, the acclaimed new drama directed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez and based on the bestselling novel by Panos Karnezis.

Presented by the author himself, this special screening takes place ahead of the film’s Greek theatrical release on July 2, distributed by Rosebud.21.

The film premiered at last year’s Locarno Film Festival and stars Willem Dafoe as Marcos Timoleon, a powerful shipping magnate. Set in the late 1970s on a private Mediterranean island, the story unfolds during an extravagant birthday celebration for his daughter and sole heir, Sofia. As the evening becomes increasingly decadent, long-buried tensions rise to the surface, leading to an unforgettable confrontation.

Filmed entirely in Greece, including Corfu and Athens, The Birthday Party is a compelling story of family, power, inheritance, and ambition.

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

“From page to screen”

BOOK SIGNING WITH PANOS KARNEZIS

Author of The Birthday Party

Location: Hydroussa Hotel

In collaboration with the historic Hydra Bookstore, under the new ownership of local Hydriot and cultural enthusiast Stamatia Vlachodimitri, we were delighted to co-host a book signing and artist talk with acclaimed author Panos Karnezis, writer of the bestselling novel The Birthday Party - now adapted into a major international film starring Willem Dafoe.

Following the Hydra Island Premiere screening of The Birthday Party the night before, this special event offers audiences the opportunity to meet the author, hear more about the journey from page to screen, and purchase signed copies of the book.
The feature film The Birthday Party premiered at last year’s Locarno Film Festival and stars Willem Dafoe as Marcos Timoleon, a powerful shipping magnate.
ArtCinema is proud to present this special island premiere and to mark the first of what we hope will be many collaborations with the Hydra Bookstore.

Hydra honors the 190th anniversary of the death of legendary Admiral Andreas Miaoulis with the island’s annual two-week festival, culminating on the weekend of June 27–28 with celebrations, naval reenactments, and fireworks over the harbor.

11:30 | Reception of representatives of the Hellenic Navy and the battleship participating in the celebrations.
📍 Kavos Fortress
19:30 | Transfer of the urn containing the heart of Admiral Andreas Miaoulis.
Procession from the Historical Archive-Museum to the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.
20:30 | Reception of Official Guests. Hosted by the Mayor and Municipal Council.
📍 Historic Town Hall
21:45 | Official address by the Mayor of Hydra, Georgios E. Koukoudakis
22:00 | “Our Fleet, Our Only Consolation” Miaoulia 2026 Spectacle. Featuring the ceremonial burning of a model Ottoman frigate.
A large-scale historical re-enactment commemorating:
Andreas Miaoulis
The Siege of Messolonghi
The contribution of the Greek fleet
Includes:
Theatrical scenes
Projection effects
Fireworks display
Choreographed pyrotechnics
📍 Hydra Harbour
07:00 | Bell ringing and Archieratic Divine Liturgy
📍 Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary
08:00 | Raising of the Greek Flag
📍 Kavos Fortress
10:30 | Official Doxology
11:00 | Official delegation proceeds to Kavos Fortress
Memorial service and wreath-laying at the tomb and statue of Admiral Andreas Miaoulis.
12:00 | Official delegation proceeds to the pier of the Merchant Marine Academy.
Ceremony of wreath casting into the sea in honour of the naval heroes of 1821.
Includes:
Saluting cannon fire
National Anthem by the Naval Band
Official Luncheon
📍 Sunset Restaurant
(By invitation only)
21:00 | “From Hydra Harbour to the Lagoon of Messolonghi”
“A Journey into Legend”
Presented by Hydra General Lyceum.
📍 Hydra Harbour

MEET OUR 2026 SUMMER ART RESIDENCIES

ROB PRUITT

JUNE RESIDENCY, EXHIBITION & FLEA MARKET
A leading post-conceptual artist known for his playful engagement with consumer culture, identity, and media, Rob Pruitt will present new work created on the island, alongside curating a Hydra Flea Market celebrating local artists and makers. He will also exhibit a selection of his iconic cat sculptures, to help support fundraising for animal welfare initiatives on the island.

DISCOVER MORE
JONATHAN HOROWITZ

JUNE RESIDENCY, SCREENING & OCTOBER EXHIBITION
Joining the summer residency in June, Jonathan Horowitz will develop new work for ArtCinema Hydra this October, offering a rare opportunity to experience a residency from its inception through to its public exhibition. Jonathan is a New York–based artist working across video, sculpture, sound installation, and photography. His practice examines the intersecting cultures of politics, celebrity, cinema, war, and consumerism.

DISCOVER MORE

Our Residencies and Exhibitions this June are curated by:

ERIC SHINER

President of Powerhouse Arts, New York City

As President of Powerhouse Arts, Brooklyn, NY, and a valued art advisor to ArtCinema, Eric Shiner brings exceptional leadership and vision to this year’s art program. Eric is a prominent figure in the contemporary art world, widely recognised for his leadership across major art institutions.

Powerhouse Arts will collaborate with ArtCinema as part of this year’s combined cultural alliance spanning residencies, exhibitions, and international cultural exchange.
The curated exhibitions across the island of Hydra are timed to coincide with the annual program of the DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art, as well as ArtCinema’s flagship event, ArtCinema Hydra, taking place from October 1-4.
This partnership aims to support Hydra’s legacy as an artists’ island and a global cultural platform - bridging international and Greek artists, collectors, and cultural leaders through dynamic, site-specific programming.

COMMUNITY DRAW SALON

OPEN STUDIO · DRAWING SALON · LIVE CREATIVE SESSIONS

Our Community-minded Artists Drawing Salon & Collective Work

ArtCinema is thrilled to welcome back Canadian painter, ArtCinema alumnus, and devoted animal lover Stephen Appleby-Barr, who will complete his Hydra study of cat paintings on Hydra. The works have been generously donated, with 100% of proceeds directed toward supporting Hydra’s much-needed veterinary clinic. An exhibition will follow.
From June 17, Stephen Appleby-Barr will also host a week-long pop-up Drawing Salon, bringing together artists, patrons, and the local community to create a collective artwork using oil, gouache, and Sennelier oil sticks, inspired by the expressive studies of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

Annu Yadav, an ArtCinema alumnus, and local Hydra artist Dimitris Fousekis will also participate, leading workshops that foster creative exchange rooted in the island’s artistic community. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

ARTCINEMA WELCOMES BACK OUR ALUMNI ARTISTS

STEPHEN APPLEBY-BARR

Compassionate Artist Returns to Hydra
Canadian painter currently based in London, approaches painting as storytelling. Wandering through museums and city streets, he searches for characters and settings to weave into his cinematic, otherworldly universe.

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ANNU YADAV

Multimedia Visual Artist
New York–based multimedia artist, born in Rajasthan, India. Her practice spans painting, sculpture, and installation, weaving Indian vernacular and mythologies with modern esotericism.

DISCOVER MORE
HISHAM ABAHUSAYN

Photographer
Returning Creative Saudi-American photographer and ArtCinema advisor Hisham Abahusayn will join us this June to begin preparations for his October exhibition, as well as to introduce an exclusive pop-up portrait studio experience for our esteemed guests.

DISCOVER MORE
DIMITRIS FOUSEKIS

Hydra Based Artist
An award-winning illustrator, painter and teacher living in the Greek island of Hydra. He exhibits regularly, collaborates with design studios, publishers & advertising agencies on illustrative projects, and also runs art workshops designed for children and adults.

DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER HYDRA'S ARTISTS

Hydra, an Artists Island

Discover the vibrant talent of Hydra’s local artists and arrange unforgettable studio visits.

DISCOVER MORE

JUNE 23 | 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM

HISTORICAL ARCHIVES MUSEUM OF HYDRA

Rob Pruitt, in collaboration with ArtCinema and Powerhouse Arts, were thrilled to host Rob Pruitt’s Hydra Flea Market, a community-minded participatory art concept first launched by Rob in 1999.

The project reimagines the traditional flea market as a living artwork, where artists, collaborators, and friends are invited to set up informal stalls and offer whatever they choose - ranging from original artworks and studio remnants to personal objects, found materials, and unconventional collectibles. The market also included food, art, song and merriment!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MARKET PARTICIPANTS

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Wednesday 24 June | 10:00 PM
Gardenia Open-Air Cinema

A Hydra Island Film Premiere, presented by Panos Karnezis, author of the bestselling novel.

We are delighted to announce the Hydra Island Premiere of The Birthday Party, the acclaimed new drama directed by Miguel Ángel Jiménez and based on the bestselling novel by Panos Karnezis.
Presented by the author himself, this special screening takes place ahead of the film’s Greek theatrical release on July 2, distributed by Rosebud.21.
The film premiered at last year’s Locarno Film Festival and stars Willem Dafoe as Marcos Timoleon, a powerful shipping magnate.
Set in the late 1970s on a private Mediterranean island, the story unfolds during an extravagant birthday celebration for his daughter and sole heir, Sofia. As the evening becomes increasingly decadent, long-buried tensions rise to the surface, leading to an unforgettable confrontation.
Filmed entirely in Greece, including Corfu and Athens, The Birthday Party is a compelling story of family, power, inheritance, and ambition.

HYDRA & SOPHIA:

ECHOES OF THE DOLPHIN

Wednesday 24 June | 9:00 PM
Gardenia Open-Air Cinema

To honour the Hydriot spirit of Miaoulia Week in Hydra, ArtCinema will presented a special screening of Hydra & Sophia: Echoes of the Dolphin, our short film celebrating the island’s cinematic history, heritage, resilience, and cultural memory.

This film marks ArtCinema’s first official film production—an AI-enhanced documentary inspired by the story of Greece’s first Hollywood production filmed in Hydra. In 1956, Italian icon Sophia Loren arrived on the island to star in Boy on a Dolphin, marking a pivotal moment that forever linked Hydra to her international legacy.
Our tribute explores how that encounter between Greece, Italy, and Hollywood brought Hydra’s beauty and culture to a global audience, shaping its cinematic mythology.
Last year, we interviewed Hydriots who remember that era firsthand. Blending personal stories, rare archival material, and performances by Hydra residents, the film is deeply shaped by the community itself. We are profoundly grateful to the islanders and local voices who shared their memories and helped bring this story to life.
This 30-minute experimental short documentary, filmed entirely on Hydra, is directed by acclaimed Greek filmmaker Antonis Sotiropoulos, produced by Georgia Andreou, and originated and produced by ArtCinema founder Amanda Palmer.
Excitingly, new material is now emerging, with previously unseen stories and images being discovered, marking the beginning of a feature-length project scheduled for completion next year to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the international release of Boy on a Dolphin in 1957.

From page to screen

BOOK SIGNING

with Panos Karnezis

Author of The Birthday Party

In collaboration with the historic Hydra Book Store, under the new ownership of local Hydriot and cultural enthusiast Stamatia Vlachodimitri, we are delighted to co-host a book signing and artist talk with acclaimed author Panos Karnezis, writer of the bestselling novel The Birthday Party - now adapted into a major international film starring Willem Dafoe.

Following the Hydra Island Premiere screening of The Birthday Party the night before, this special event offers audiences the opportunity to meet the author, hear more about the journey from page to screen, and purchase signed copies of the book.
The feature film The Birthday Party premiered at last year’s Locarno Film Festival and stars Willem Dafoe as Marcos Timoleon, a powerful shipping magnate.
ArtCinema is proud to present this special island premiere and to mark the first of what we hope will be many collaborations with the Hydra Bookstore.

25 June | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Hydroussa Hotel

DESTE FOUNDATION’S PROJECT SLAUGHTERHOUSE

EXHIBITION FEATURING NARI WARD

This year, the Slaughterhouse Project on Hydra will feature Until That Day, an exhibition by Nari Ward. Renowned for his sculptural installations composed of discarded material found and collected in his neighborhood