| Mykonos
has a large community of artists and several galleries. At * Apocalypse
(tel. 0289/24-267), on Ayios Vlasis, just in from the port, you'll find
the icon workshop of Maria Adama and Mercourios Dimopoulos. Their materials
and techniques are drawn from the ancient tradition of icon painting. Much
of their exquisite work is done on commission for churches and individuals.
Orama Art Gallery (tel. 0289/26-339; fax 0289/24-016) features the work
of local painters Luis Orozco and Dorlies Schapitz. Many of the paintings
depict local scenes, but this is not tourist art: The delightful use of
color and joyous quality of the paintings is consistent, regardless of
their subject.
The
Scala Gallery, Odos Matoyianni 48 (tel. 0289/23-407; fax 0289/26-993; www.scalagallery.gr),
is one of the best galleries in town. All the artists represented are from
Greece, many of them quite well known. There is a selection of jewelry,
plus an interesting collection of recent works by Yorgos Kypris, an Athenian
sculptor and ceramic artist. Nearby on Odos Panahrandou is Scala II Gallery
(tel. 0289/26-993), where the overflow from the Scala Gallery is sold at
reduced prices.
Eleni
Kontiza's tiny shop Hand Made (tel. 0289/27-512), on a lane between Plateia
Tria Pigadia and Plateia Laka, has a good selection of handwoven scarves,
rugs, and tablecloths from around Greece.
The
best bookstore on Mykonos is To Vivlio (tel. 0289/27-737), on Odos Zouganeli,
one street over from Odos Matoyianni. It carries a good selection of books
in English, including many works of Greek writers in translation, plus
some art and architecture books and a few travel guides.
Mykonos
has an abundance of jewelry shops, most of them unexceptional and more
expensive than their Athenian counterparts. However, the best known, Elias
Lalaounis, Odos Polykandrioti 14, near the taxi station (tel. 0289/22-444),
has an international reputation for superb craftsmanship and design, especially
in classical, Byzantine, and natural motifs. Vildiridis, Matoyianni 12
(tel. 0289/23-245), has designs based on ancient jewelry as well as contemporary
styles.
Works
of culinary art can be found at Skaropoulos (tel. 0289/24-983), 1 1/2 kilometers
(1 mile) out of Hora on the road to Ano Mera, featuring the Mykonian specialties
of Nikos and Frantzeska Koukas (Nikos's grandfather started making confections
here in 1921, winning prizes and earning a personal commendation from Winston
Churchill). Try their famed amygdalota (an almond sweet) or the almond
biscuits (Churchill's favorite). You can also find Skaropoulos sweets at
Pantopoleion, Kaloyerou 24 (tel. 0289/22-078), along with Greek organic
foods and natural cosmetics. The shop is in a beautifully restored 300-year-old
Mykonian house. |
