JELO6 Project Athens 2026

2026 Theme: Can Art ultimately be a-political?

Art has always been a field of expression, conflict, dreaming, and resistance. But today, in a world of social inequalities, environmental crisis, and political and cultural fluidity, can we truly speak of apolitical art? Or is every act of creation—even the most “private” one—already a political gesture, because it expresses a way of existing and relating to the world?

Participatory art emerges from the need to redefine the relationship between creator, artwork, and viewer. At its core lies the act of “togetherness”—the belief that art is not the privilege of a few, but a shared space of expression, coformation, and social dialogue. When the viewer is invited to cocreate, to share experiences, or to bring their personal story into the process, art ceases to be an object of aesthetic consumption and becomes a political act of participation.

In a world where social inequalities and cultural exclusions are widening, participatory art functions as a framework of care, community, and empowerment. Creation becomes a way for silenced voices to be heard, for knowledge to emerge from the margins, for relationships to be built through collaboration. The aesthetic experience is transformed into a social act, into a micropolitical field where every gesture matters—from shaping an object to telling a story.

Participatory art does not promise to change the world in a spectacular way; it invites us, however, to reimagine how we coexist within it. In this collective act of creation, the “I” shifts toward the “we”—and it is precisely there that the most essential form of politics is born.

JELO6 Athens 2026 invites creators of contemporary jewelry, ceramics, and art objects to approach this question through their own practice. To explore how material, gesture, and the relationship with the public can express participation, coexistence, and the political dimension of creation.  
To create works that speak not only about the world, but with the world.


Participating Artists:

Individual Artist:
Aggeliki Madi // Aggeliki Simeonidi & Stefanos Kyritsopoulos // Anastasia Gemeliari // Andri Lambrou and Fotis Vasiliou // Angelika Komis // Angelos Konstantakatos // Dariusz Wojdyga // Demitra Thomloudis // Dominique Lietaert // Dora Haralambaki // Iro Kaskani // Katerina Glinou // Laura & Martine Feiereisen // Laura Moisa // Leonie Yagdjoglou // Lily Kanellopoulou // Maria Ghisi // Marina Zachou // Rena Metaxa
 
Emerging Artists:
Bette Nunneley // Dominik Cunningham // Isabel Wang Pontoppidan // Leopold Juenger // Lili Barglowska // Marie-Caroline Locquet // Miles Robinson // Ralph Parks // Roanne Sanchez-Watts // Zoe Clark
 
Previously Awarded Artist
in both ATHENS 2024 and CYPRUS 2025 editions:
Anastasia Kandaraki // Huimin Zhang // Joy Stathopoulou // Lauren Kalman // Lily Preve // Maria Ioannou // Maria Karystinou // Punch Patcharakamol Suwannakit // Saravich Sungtrakankul // Sylvie Godel // Thisbe Stadier
 
Our Guests:
Faye Papargyropoulou // Georgia Gremouti // Jana Machatova and Peter Machata
 
Specially Invited:
Caroline Broadhead // Erato Kouloubi // Liana Pattihis // Mari Ishikawa // Sofia Björkman // Yolanda Naranjo


The central exhibition, JEWELRY + OBJECTS + our 6 SENSES, will be hosted at the Benaki Museum – Pireos 138.
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Satellite exhibitions and events will unfold across collaborating galleries and art spaces, as well as in alternative venues throughout the center of Athens, creating a vibrant network of artistic activity across the city.

Our program rich and dynamic, features studios and exhibition openings across central Athens, alongside artist talks, seminars, presentations, and workshops, culminates in the Awards Ceremony on Sunday, May 17. We hope you will find it inspiring and that your time in Athens will be filled with meaningful encounters and networking opportunities.

>> Find here the complete program of events.

>> Seminars and Workshops at Jelo6