In Tyrnavos, in the Thessalian plain, a new cultural initiative is taking shape: the establishment of the Museum of Contemporary Art “Georgios Kalakallas.” The museum seeks to honor one of the most important Greek sculptors, deeply connected to his birthplace, and to transform the city into a permanent point of reference on the visual arts map of the country.
Giorgos Kalakallas was born in Tyrnavos and studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts, where he was distinguished with scholarships and awards. His career includes dozens of solo and group exhibitions in Greece and more than sixty countries, with his works adorning public spaces, museums, galleries, and collections. He was honored by the European Parliament with the “Silver ECU” for his contribution to the European ideal, while the National Gallery recognizes the variety and dynamism of his sculptural creation.
His relationship with Tyrnavos was unbreakable. He designed the emblem of the Municipality, offered emblematic works free of charge that are exhibited at the Town Hall and around the city, while his sculptures adorn squares, monuments, and the cemetery. From “The Horses of Phaethon” in the central square to the busts of the tragic poets and the Monument of the National Resistance, his work is scattered throughout the urban fabric, connecting his artistic path with the collective memory of the community.
The new Museum will be housed in the restored municipal building next to the Hammam, at the entrance of the city, in a place of strong symbolism. The artist’s family has already expressed the intention to donate works, in order to create a permanent exhibition that will become a living center of culture. The goal is the study, documentation, presentation, and promotion of Kalakallas’ work, both in physical and digital space.
The creation of the Museum aspires to function as a cultural landmark for Tyrnavos. Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and interactive activities, it will cultivate the understanding of contemporary art, enrich the local cultural identity, and attract visitors from Greece and abroad. At the same time, it will highlight Tyrnavos as an integral part of the history of contemporary art in our country.
The Municipal Authority sees in the creation of the museum not only a tribute to Giorgos Kalakallas but also an opportunity for the city’s rebirth: a space that will inspire new ideas, encourage creativity, and offer citizens and visitors the opportunity to envision a Tyrnavos more vibrant and culturally rich.
Tyrnavos: New Museum of Contemporary Art dedicated to Georgios Kalakallas
In Tyrnavos, in the Thessalian plain, a new cultural initiative is taking shape: the establishment of the Museum of Contemporary Art “Georgios Kalakallas.” The museum seeks to honor one of the most important Greek sculptors, deeply connected to his birthplace, and to transform the city into a permanent point of reference on the visual arts map of the country.
Giorgos Kalakallas was born in Tyrnavos and studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts, where he was distinguished with scholarships and awards. His career includes dozens of solo and group exhibitions in Greece and more than sixty countries, with his works adorning public spaces, museums, galleries, and collections. He was honored by the European Parliament with the “Silver ECU” for his contribution to the European ideal, while the National Gallery recognizes the variety and dynamism of his sculptural creation.
His relationship with Tyrnavos was unbreakable. He designed the emblem of the Municipality, offered emblematic works free of charge that are exhibited at the Town Hall and around the city, while his sculptures adorn squares, monuments, and the cemetery. From “The Horses of Phaethon” in the central square to the busts of the tragic poets and the Monument of the National Resistance, his work is scattered throughout the urban fabric, connecting his artistic path with the collective memory of the community.
The new Museum will be housed in the restored municipal building next to the Hammam, at the entrance of the city, in a place of strong symbolism. The artist’s family has already expressed the intention to donate works, in order to create a permanent exhibition that will become a living center of culture. The goal is the study, documentation, presentation, and promotion of Kalakallas’ work, both in physical and digital space.
The creation of the Museum aspires to function as a cultural landmark for Tyrnavos. Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and interactive activities, it will cultivate the understanding of contemporary art, enrich the local cultural identity, and attract visitors from Greece and abroad. At the same time, it will highlight Tyrnavos as an integral part of the history of contemporary art in our country.
The Municipal Authority sees in the creation of the museum not only a tribute to Giorgos Kalakallas but also an opportunity for the city’s rebirth: a space that will inspire new ideas, encourage creativity, and offer citizens and visitors the opportunity to envision a Tyrnavos more vibrant and culturally rich.
