By Rula Samain
Nestled in the heart of Paphos Old Town, The Place arts and crafts center stands as a vibrant testament to Cyprus’ rich artistic and cultural heritage.
Anovia had the pleasure of interviewing its founder, Natalia Antoniou, to learn more about the artist behind the center and the unique space she has created.
Inspired by a lifelong passion for Cypriot handicrafts, nurtured by her mother’s three decades of dedication to the craft, Antoniou has built more than a shop; she created a living, breathing space where tradition, creativity, and community converge.
From handmade jewelry, pottery, and mosaics to the finest local culinary products like olive oil, carob syrup, and honey, every item tells a story.
With resident artists demonstrating their craft daily and visitors invited to engage directly with the creative process, The Place offers an immersive journey into the soul of Cyprus, its history, flavors, and timeless artistry.
Anovia: Why did you choose to establish this cultural center, and what is the story behind its founding?
Antoniou: I have always had a deep love for Cypriot handicrafts. Growing up with this passion, I was influenced by my mother, who worked for over 30 years at the handicraft center in Paphos. My vision has been to promote and enhance Cypriot handicrafts, collaborating with fellow locals. The dedication of Cypriot craftsmen and artists has allowed me to create a unique space in the heart of the Old Town of Paphos. This is a journey dedicated to Cypriot handicrafts, art, wine, gastronomy, and creativity—elements that harmoniously connect the history of Cyprus.
Anovia: What is the Cultural center’s artistic vision or philosophy?
Antoniou: The vision was to create an Arts and Crafts center and a local products shop that offers Authentic and unique products and experience. Through this, our philosophy is to offer also to the local and international society something authentic—a reflection of the special aspects of Cypriot culture. Our ultimate goal is to continue passing on our tradition and culture to our children and future generations.
Anovia: What makes your Cultural center distinct within the local or regional art scene?
Antoniou: “The Place” arts and crafts is unique due to its specific focus on handmade, local, and authentic Cypriot products, including but not limited to handmade jewelry, pottery, mosaics, paintings, fused glass and a wide selection of traditional foods like olive oil, carob syrup, and honey. This focus on genuine, local crafts and authentic food products sets it apart from mass-produced souvenirs or other center. Furthermore the presence of artist in the center demonstrating live their work and the opportunity of the guest to interact is what differentiate The Place.
Unique features of “The Place” arts and crafts
- Authentic handmade products: The center features handmade gifts and jewelry created by local in house artisans, ensuring each item has a unique character and history.
- Over 8 artists have The Place as their home workshop while daily are present creating local art
- Local and traditional Cypriot foods: It carries a curated selection of “Flavors of Cyprus” products, such as natural herbs, extra virgin olive oil, carob syrup, honey, sweet preserves, wines etc, offering a taste of local tradition.
- Located in Paphos Old Town: The Place location in a historic area adds to its charm and gives it a sense of place.
- Emphasis on quality and soul: By featuring items with soul and history, “The Place” stands out in an era of mass production, appealing to those who seek unique and meaningful pieces.
Anovia: Do you accommodate artists or feature the work of artist in exhibitions?
Antoniou: Certainly yes. At our Cultural center we accommodate under one umbrella 8 artists where they create culture. Wide range of artistic pieces are created by our artisans within our space at competitive prices and in an environment reminiscent of the good old days. Pottery Mosaics, paintings, jewelry, fused glass, pyrography and much more.
Each artist has its own workshop and display area. However frequently we also accommodate guess artist and work from NON inhouse artist. Something very unique we are offering is the opportunity for someone to participate at our interactive workshops where locals and visitors can try their creative talent and create a piece of art to take home.
Anovia: How do you see the role of arts center in preserving cultural identity?
Antoniou: In general, local arts and crafts play a vital role in preserving heritage. Arts and crafts capture a community’s beliefs, traditions, and history. By supporting the expression of a community’s unique identity, we strengthen bonds and foster a sense of belonging and pride among residents. We encourage social cohesion through events, workshops, and public art projects, which bring people together and strengthen community ties. We also promote creative expression, provide educational opportunities, and boost local economies through tourism and artist support. Our series of interactive workshops enables visitors and locals of all ages to unfold their creative talent and even create their own piece of art to take home. Last but not least at our center, we offer a platform for artists, economic benefits to local businesses, and enrich the community’s quality of life through various events and public art initiatives.
Anovia: What kind of audience do you aim to engage through the experiences offered ?
Antoniou: On a day to day operations, we are very popular among international and local visitors, local residents and schools visits.
Most of the audience is engaged through interactive experience offers and especially the pottery workshop while meeting local artists and local culture is what makes them coming back again and again. Experiences offered characterized by our visitors, creative, educational and transformative.
Anovia: Do you collaborate with tourism or educational institutions to promote art and the local culture?
Antoniou: Even though our efforts is to aim directly to the final user, we do have collaborations with tourism organizations, travel companies, travel guides, hotel personnel and also educational institutions. International visitors, schools visits and local residents made over 75% of our audience
Anovia: What are your plans or upcoming projects for the coming period?
Antoniou: We want and strive for this Center, this space to receive visits from more schools from all over Cyprus. I am a kindergarten teacher by profession and I believe that the education of children will be even better if it is enriched with daily visits to the space so children get to know Cypriot crafts and Culture. Even to try and create their own piece of art such as pottery, mosaics etc.
At the same time, our immediate plans are to enrich the center with other craftsmen/artists as well as to complete the range of products.
We are currently creating a unique workshop producing marmalade and sweet preserves to be ready by December.
We have recently invested in technology with QR codes and audio guides explaining each art, new website and soon we will launch our E-Shop
By Christmas we will create unique gift packages of traditional products and crafts for companies and individuals
Next year we are planning to restart events in the space such as social gathering, arts exhibitions wine tasting, presentations, etc.
Anovia: Have you considered collaborating with Jordanian art center or galleries to share artistic vision and messages?
Antoniou: What we thought of doing was to make a symposium in Pafos-Cyprus with potters from neighboring countries but financial aspect is constrain. With this initiative we could ensure that in modern times, pottery continues to serve as a cultural artifact, representing local traditions, regional techniques, and unique artistic styles. Local pottery styles offer insight into the culture, traditions, and lifestyle of specific regions, making pottery an invaluable means of preserving cultural heritage for the whole Middle Eastern countries.
The Place https://theplacecyprus.com
