VIP ART EXHIBITION
Open Call for Visual Artists to Participate in the Exhibition “Visions of Maria”
We invite you to participate in the contemporary art exhibition “Visions of Maria”, dedicated to the life, personality, and artistic journey of the iconic Maria Callas.
VISIONS OF MARIA
- Location: Parnassos Literary Society Hall, Athens
- Exhibition Dates: September 17–20, 2026
- Curator: Annita Patsouraki, Art Historian & Archaeologist, Graduate of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne University
- PR Director: George Davlas
- Art Consultant: Elpida Gemenetzi, Art Historian
- Office & Operations Administrator: Sofia Kyriazidou
- Technology Partner: Webkosmos
- Audiovisual Productions Associate: Antonis Sotiropoulos
- Photography: Papadakis Press, Papadakis George, Pelekis Dimitrios
MARIA CALLAS TALKS
Annita Patsouraki, Art Historian
Helen Mattheopoulou, Journalist and Author
LA DIVINA GROUP
Art Director: Iris Kritikou, Archeologist, Art Historian
Project Manager: Epaminondas Tsetsenekos
Due to the limited number of participants, applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Submission Deadline: 15 July 2026
About the Exhibition
The contemporary art exhibition “Visions of Maria” brings together contemporary visual artists to foster a creative dialogue with the cultural footprint of Maria Callas. Maria Callas was one of the most iconic figures of 20th-century opera, with performances and a vocal technique that redefined the boundaries of lyric art. She was internationally acclaimed as La Divina — “the divine” — not only for her vocal perfection but also for her unique stage presence and the profound dramatic intensity she brought to her roles. A multifaceted artist of high musical education and rare expressive power, she was instrumental in revitalizing the operatic repertoire. In an era when opera often emphasized vocal virtuosity alone, Callas restored its dramatic core. She transformed melodrama into true theater, unifying music with performance, voice with body, and technique with soul. She did not merely sing; she embodied. Consequently, the history of opera is frequently divided into “before” and “after” Callas. To this day, many of her performances are considered unrepeatable, while her influence remains vibrant and timeless.
The exhibition “Visions of Maria” will be hosted at the historic Parnassos Literary Society Hall from September 17 to 20, 2026 — a venue of highly significant symbolism for Maria Callas’s artistic journey. The exhibition is curated by Art Historian and Archaelogist Annita Patsouraki, Graduate of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne University.
The visual arts axis forms the central pillar of the event, complemented by a program of opera-centered events running parallel to the art exhibition. The organization will be framed by opera gala evenings, cocktail receptions & press events, live performances, and artistic happenings, as well as the Maria Callas Talks — a series of discussions featuring artists, academics, curators, and cultural figures. The exhibition aspires to become a meeting point for diverse creators, highlighting the dynamic relationship between classical training and contemporary artistic exploration. Within its framework, distinctions (awards) will be presented to three (3) artists who stand out for their work and will be invited to co-create the exclusive “Maria Callas Artist’s Collection”, courtesy of La Divina Group. The artworks of the exhibition will be documented in a high-specification luxury coffee table book.
Applications must be submitted online through the official website by July 15, 2026.
“Visions of Maria” serves as the inaugural announcement of the upcoming international event, the Maria Callas Biennale, marking the beginning of a broader institution dedicated to art, aesthetics, and the enduring influence of Maria Callas.
Under the auspices of the Municipality of Athens, the Hellenic Association “Maria Callas”, the Club for UNESCO of Art Literature and Science of Greece, and the Athens Turin Organization.
• Luxury Art Exhibition
• Maria Callas Artist's Awards
• Opera Gala Evenings
• Cocktail Receptions & Press Events
• Live Performances
• Maria Callas Talks
• Luxury Art Exhibition
• Maria Callas Artist's Awards
• Opera Gala Evenings
• Cocktail Receptions & Press Events
• Live Performances
• Maria Callas Talks
THE VISION OF THE EXHIBITION
Maria Callas remains a timeless iconic figure who has continuously inspired artistic creation and has been repeatedly represented through art, always retaining her relevance.
Within the framework of the exhibition “Visions of Maria”, her presence serves as a central point of reference and a source of inspiration for the participating artists, without limiting them exclusively to biographical references or literal depictions of her image.
Artists are invited to approach the theme with freedom and personal interpretation, on a conceptual, metaphorical, or emotional level, and to “deconstruct” her figure through the essential elements of her artistic identity — music, passion, dramaturgy, voice, inner intensity, and absolute devotion to art.
Therefore, what interests us is not a literal representation, but rather a personal, experiential, or even abstract interpretation of “Maria”: the woman behind the myth, the artist who redefined opera, the human being balancing between fame and solitude.
In this way, the exhibition seeks to highlight new interpretations of her artistic legacy, opening a contemporary dialogue between opera and the visual arts, between the classical and the contemporary, between memory and modern artistic narrative.
THEMATIC AXES
Participants are encouraged to draw inspiration from:
- her life and artistic journey
- her inner contradictions
- her public image and private identity
- the concept of the voice as an expression of the soul
- themes such as identity and transformation, fame and loneliness, voice and silence, stage and backstage, music, theatre, and opera
ACCEPTED MEDIA
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Photography
- Video
- Digital Art
- & any contemporary form of visual artistic expression
VISIONS OF MARIA: THE EXHIBITION
September 17–20, 2026
Parnassos Literary Society Hall
(Art Hall, 3rd Floor – PARNASSOS Gallery)
MARIA CALLAS ARTIST’S COLLECTION:
3 ΒΡΑΒΕΙΑ
Three awards, courtesy of La Divina Group.
Artworks transformed into high-aesthetic collections.
SUBMISSION OF WORKS – DEADLINES
This Open Call is addressed to emerging and established artists, regardless of age, nationality, or place of residence. Each artist may submit more than one artwork representative of their artistic practice and relevant to the exhibition’s theme. The organizing company will select one of the submitted works for inclusion in the exhibition.
Due to the limited number of participants, applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Applications must be submitted exclusively online through the official participation form by July 15, 2026, at 23:59. Late submissions will not be accepted.
- Applicants may submit an existing artwork they consider representative of their practice, provided that it corresponds to the exhibition’s theme.
- Selected participants will be informed accordingly and will receive detailed instructions regarding the technical specifications of their works and the delivery schedule.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
VISIONS OF MARIA: THE EXHIBITION
The exhibition will be hosted at the historic Parnassos Literary Society Hall (Art Hall, 3rd Floor – PARNASSOS Gallery), as part of a curated four-day artistic event dedicated to Maria Callas.
The exhibition will serve as the central pillar of the event, functioning as a meeting point for diverse visual art approaches that engage in dialogue within a unified narrative, aesthetic, and conceptual framework inspired by the voice, dramaturgy, and timeless artistic presence of Maria Callas.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to engage deeply with the work and artistic identity of the participating artists through an experience that combines contemporary visual art with music.
The exhibition will also be documented in a high-aesthetic coffee table book, produced as a collectible edition and distributed to museums, selected bookstores, and cultural institutions.
The detailed program will be announced at a later date through the official channels of the organization.
MARIA CALLAS ARTIST’S COLLECTION: 3 AWARDS
La Divina Group, with the aim of highlighting and meaningfully supporting contemporary artists, establishes the Maria Callas Awards.
Within this framework, three (3) awards will be granted to participating artists in the exhibition who distinguish themselves through their work and artistic proposal. The three award-winning artists will be invited into a commercial collaboration with La Divina Group for the creation of the exclusive “Maria Callas Artist’s Collection”. The competition section will be curated by Iris Kritikou.
Their works will be translated into high-aesthetic, high-quality products such as silk scarves and shawls, premium mugs and cups, selected tableware, luxury gift boxes, and limited-edition collections, creating a contemporary bridge between art and design.
All products in the collection will feature the signature of Maria Callas, accompanied by the artist’s signature as co-creator. The aim is to offer artists a meaningful opportunity for professional development and wider visibility of their work. The collaboration will be governed by a separate private agreement with La Divina Group, which is responsible for the awarding of the prizes.
APPLICATION FORM
Please complete the form below to apply for participation in the exhibition Visions of Maria.
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.
For further information:
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
- Submission of the application implies full and unconditional acceptance of these Terms and Conditions of Participation.
- The participant declares that they hold the full intellectual property rights (copyright) of their artwork.
- A non-exclusive right to use artwork images is granted for promotion and communication purposes.
- The organization takes reasonable care and diligence measures for the safekeeping of the artworks.
- Personal data is maintained in accordance with the GDPR regulations.
- The organization reserves the right to modify the program in the event of force majeure.
Terms of Potential Commercial Collaboration
- The commercial collaboration concerns exclusively artists participating in the exhibition.
- A separate private agreement will be signed.
- The production and commercial distribution of products is the sole responsibility of La Divina Group.
- The artist retains the moral rights over their artwork.
FAQs
“Visions of Maria” is a contemporary art exhibition dedicated to the life and artistic legacy of Maria Callas.
The exhibition will take place from September 17 to 20, 2026, at the Parnassos Literary Society Hall in Athens.
The open call is addressed to both emerging and established artists, regardless of age, nationality, or place of residence.
Applications must be submitted by July 15, 2026, at 23:59
Submissions are accepted exclusively online through the official website.
All forms of contemporary art are accepted, including painting, sculpture, photography, video, and digital art.
Not necessarily. Artists are encouraged to approach the theme freely, without being limited to literal depictions or biographical references.
Yes, upon consultation with the organization, due to the limited number of participants.
Yes, there are 2 categories.
Yes. Three awards will be presented to artists whose work and proposals stand out.
It is an exclusive collection created in commercial collaboration with La Divina Group, where the works of the award-winning artists will be translated into high-aesthetic, premium products.
Yes, the exhibition will be framed by free musical events and the Maria Callas Talks, a series of discussions and panels focused on art and opera.
Artists retain the full copyrights over their artwork, while granting a non-exclusive license to use images for the promotion of the exhibition in digital or print media.