The Cyprus College of Art will host an art exhibition on Saturday in protest of the government’s decision regarding the school’s future.

Following the completion of works for the Cultural Village of Lemba in Paphos, the  directors of the college and descendants its founder, Stass Paraskos, accused the deputy ministry of culture of reneging on agreements made by previous administrations regarding the ten-year redevelopment project of the college’s facilities in Lempa, denying that such agreements ever existed.

This, they say, despite numerous government statements, including in the architectural contract and parliamentary debates, affirming that Lempa would remain the home of the Cyprus College of Art.

The college, which had been operating in Famagusta since 1969, relocated to Lempa after the Turkish invasion. Now, it faces a similar issue with the deputy ministry of culture, which has reportedly rejected an agreement for space in the new building for the Cyprus College of Art.

“In an attempt to further marginalise the Cyprus College of Art, the Deputy Minister of Culture Vasiliki Kassianidou and her colleagues have repeatedly referred to the institution as the ‘descendants of Stass Paraskos’ to delegitimise it as a continuing organisation,” said Michael Paraskos, the son of founder Stass Paraskos.

The college is organising an exhibition called ‘Descendants’, which will be held at the Cyprus Chamber of Fine Arts (Ekate) on Saturday at 6 pm, in Nicosia. The exhibition will showcase documents that highlight what the college claims is the misrepresentation of the deputy ministry of culture, as well as works by several artists including Stass Paraskos, his daughter Margaret Paraskos and Emilios Koutsoftides.

Additionally, the exhibition will feature a collection of letters supporting the college, including letters from prominent figures in the UK art world, reflecting the school’s history over the decades.

In an interview with Phileleftheros, general director of the deputy ministry of culture Emanouela Lambrianidi, stated that the only “blemish” surrounding the procedure stems from the heirs of Stass Paraskos, who oppose the idea of an open call for interest for the project’s contractor. Lambrianidi explained that their request to operate from the premises is impossible to grant due to clear instructions from the State Legal Service.

She suggested a “grading” system for potential contractors, allowing those who agree to include the artist’s heirs in their proposal to be considered. However, she emphasised that this decision is up to the contractor, as the ministry does not have the legal authority to impose it.

Lambrianidi outlined that the goals of the Cultural Village include creating a cultural hub that provides infrastructure for artistic programmes, educational initiatives for primary and secondary school students and a venue for exhibitions and cultural events.

The Cyprus College of Art argues that the ministry is dishonouring their father and his work by describing the college as an obstacle to completing the project. While they do not seek preferential treatment, they are calling on the government to honour previous commitments that assured space for the college in the new building.

The exhibition will be on until the 31st January.