ArtLab - Εργαστήρι Τέχνης

Yesterday we had the happiness of participating in a double seminar about our favorite creatures, fish. Here in Mytilene, at ArtLab, we experienced something that we honestly did not expect for our local conditions. An incredible experience of art and technique that kept our interest undiminished for four hours and twenty minutes - by the clock. Which passed in a flash from what we were learning and doing. On the one hand, Dimitris Kalantzakis showed us the basics of Gyotaku art, of imprinting a fish on paper, and on the other, Stratos Iosifellis showed us cuts and preparations of fish (shrimp, sea bass, sardines) in ceviche, carpaccio, tartare... Guys, I honestly don't know what to say. So much information but also experiential. It wasn't just watching and learning. No... Dimitris had us print after an hour and Stratos simply put on aprons and gave us knives. Get started! I was a little stressed since I pretended to know how to fillet, okay... I've been stressed since high school like that. Where I did the worst was in the printing, but here's what came out for a start. I was doubly happy that my son had the opportunity to experience this whole thing, he left excited, overjoyed, I wish I could give him such food for thought and practice more often. As for the organization, I don't know what to say: guys, honestly, the gifts from the local producers, the aprons, the setting up of the seminars, I think they cost more than what we paid to participate. To see how local products can be applied to oriental cuts and how local fish and ingredients we haven't even exploited to the smallest detail yet...and next to it, art underpins cooking and cooking the art. Magic, honestly. And information flows faster than we can absorb it, and yet, you are left with a deep joy - that of creation. I so needed to feel like a student again and not a teacher who is constantly nagging me...To surrender to the authority of another person and come out of it better. I had forgotten what an incredibly beautiful process it is. Of course we will also make gyotaku from the fish we catch and of course we will honor our new recipes to the fullest! The instructors were tireless, they had ten times more appetite than us and for sure if we had let them we would have left there at twelve o'clock at night. Impeccable models and accompanying material from Antonis to remember recipes and methods, impeccable prints on the aprons...Hey guys, you don't exist. You simply don't exist. With all our hearts we thank you and congratulate you. We have no words. @ArtLab

Dimitris Kalantzakis is excellent, both in organizing the lessons and in the individualized approach to the students (young and old). He places great emphasis on the way of perception and the educational process and this is what makes him stand out. Five-year-old Viktor is very excited about the "master painter", as he calls him.

There is a personal approach to each student. In his own way, he helped me transition to fine arts!

Beautiful space and Mr. Dimitris is an excellent teacher. Thank you very much for the knowledge and the beautiful memories I have gained from the workshop ❤️

Excellent teacher and person with a lot of patience and enthusiasm to make you learn! Until I started taking lessons, I didn't even touch a brush for painting at home, as my little hands.... Result in 3 months...

One of the most creative moments in my life was my presence and participation in Dimitris Kalantzakis' workshop. It is an honor to attend his classes!

An amazing workshop of creation and expression through art with a wonderful teacher painter full of contagious energy and talent. He deserves a thousand thumbs up. Our teacher painter has a unique way of introducing children and adults to art, taking into account their inclinations, their interests, and the achievement of their expectations for admission to the School of Fine Arts. He makes you love art even more, always in his unique way of overcoming every weakness and shyness.

Very good teacher and good atmosphere in the workshop. I definitely recommend it.