School of Fine Arts of Leba
Leba’s School of Fine Arts is housed in the old school of the homonymous village of Paphos in Cyprus, and is only a few meters away from the center of the community.
The old Art College, located in the city of Paphos, was transferred to the village of Leba in the current tourist area of Kato Paphos in 1979 and after a few years transformed this small community into a cultural hub of the island. From a summer school in the Famagusta district in 1969, the necessary prerequisites were formed for the establishment of the School of Fine Arts of Leba in 1981, when it was officially established. Nowadays known as the Cyprus College of Art, it is not just another art school, as it is a specialized painting college and sculpture institute. Founder of the School of Fine Arts of Leba was Stas Paraschos from Larnaca, himself a sophisticated artist of the second generation of Cypriot painters, in addition to adding British elements to Cypriot art, he also paved new ways in the artistic life of the place and contributed to the international projection of the whole island. The area, on the other hand, has a campground atmosphere, as artists can, alongside their work, walk around the village or relax in nature.
In addition to the School of Fine Arts of Leba, Stas Paraschos had envisioned the creation of the first cultural village in Cyprus with School of Fine Arts of Leba as its core, something that will take place over the following years. Having completed the relevant architectural competition by the Ministry of Education and Culture, this cultural village will be in harmony with both nature and the traditions of Leba. It will also serve as another multicultural nucleus for this community of Paphos, giving artists from all over the world the opportunity to interact with its residents through workshops that will be held in the village. Finally, hostels for accommodation will be built, as well as older buildings will be restored, and various smaller spaces for visual arts will be built.
School of Fine Arts of Leba
Website: www.artcyprus.org