The juxtaposition of old and new is becoming more evident every time I visit Sparta. It is personified in the vibrant and enthusiastic colony of young artists who are exploring contemporary ways to embrace and perpetuate our ancient culture. Sharing their talents with residents and travelers, these artists reveal how personal expression can be intertwined with history to explore new perspectives of the Spartan landscape.

This summer, I introduced my daughter to Despina Chroni of Chous Ceramics, Dimitra Colomvakou of Mosaic Art Greece, and Alexander Papastratigakis of Iron Junk Art. Being with them and around their creations was exhilarating and inspiring for us!

Chous Ceramics
Chous Ceramics and Mosaic Art Greece are next door neighbors at Konstantinou Palaiologou 132. Despina Chroni and her husband, Georgios Zitis, opened their ceramics studio in 2024. Blending their individual styles and perspectives, they create unique pieces that are already winning awards in worldwide competitions. Despina gave us a tour of the Chous workshop and gallery, and explained the process of creating their distinctive pieces.

Angles and geometric designs are common in ceramics, but Chous pieces have a singular characteristic–each one has movement. This design feature adds grace and elegance to every creation.

Mosaic Art Greece
From the time I first met Dimitra Colomvakou in 2019, I was hooked on mosaic creations. Dimitra’s hands-on classes are open to the public; they enable anyone to learn the basics of this art form and to walk away with a truly one-of-a-kind creation. In 2023, I arranged to attend her pebble mosaic workshop. This summer, my daughter also experienced the joy of creating her own design, choosing each pebble and mixing the exact color she desired for the background.

Together, we took Dimitra’s class on glass mosaics. We learned how tiny shards of glass and miniscule bits of china (from plates, cups, etc.) can be blend into innovative designs. I loved doing this! Surrounded by piles of colorful glass and patiently tutored by Dimitra, we worked for three hours under the leafy canopy of her outdoor garden workshop, inspired by nature and and our own creative juices.

We were thrilled with our finished pieces! Truly, our own unique designs!

Iron Junk Art
Alexandros Papastratigakis is a man with a vision. Taking bits and pieces of anything metal, he creates statues, forms, and iron sculptures unlike anything I have ever seen. From age 17, he was fascinated with all forms of machinery, especially lathes and welders. When school ended at 2:00 p.m., he headed to a machine shop where he used its welding tools to create art from scraps of metal. Graduating college as an engineer, Alexandros worked in construction and saved money to buy tools and machines. Today, he is the proud business owner of Iron Junk Art located in Sparta at 10 Orthias Artemidos Street.

My daughter and I were amazed with what we saw in Alexandros’ workshop. Bins overflow with chains, nuts, bolts, screws, nails, wires, and metal scraps. Machines and tools fill every bit of space. In this industrial midst, Alexandros focuses on his next creation.

Each piece that Alex forms is carefully drafted and meticulously crafted. It’s difficult to describe his creations in words. So the pictures below will speak to his work.

I chose this piece to bring home to my husband, who has a workshop filled with many of the same items found in Alex’s shop. He both admired and appreciated the design and workmanship.

These imaginative, ingenious and innovative artists are lifting the cultural landscape of Sparta. They are showing both natives and tourists that this generation of artisans can blend the atmosphere of antiquity with a new breath of creativity. I admire their zestful natures and progressive ideas, and support them with my whole heart.