A Monumental Moment: “AWARDS 1 TO 9” and the Power of Collectivity

150 years in nine forms: a sculptural tribute to collective growth

To mark its 150th anniversary, The American College of Greece inaugurated A Link and a Break in Time—a commemorative exhibition reflecting on its layered institutional history through newly commissioned artworks. Among the many thought-provoking pieces, one stands out: AWARDS 1 TO 9, a collaborative sculptural installation led by artist and associate lecturer Georgia Kotretsos in collaboration with nine sculpture students from the Visual Arts program, under the leadership of Jennifer Nelson of the Department of Arts and Creative Industries.

More than a collection of artworks, AWARDS 1 TO 9 is a living testimony to what happens when trust, mentorship, and creativity intersect in a real-world context. Together, students Iason Bonas, Maria-Luisa Dollete, Anna Giakoumakatou, Phoebe Kainourgiou, Fani Koulocheri, Phivi Nicolaou, Vaggi Sekifu, Natalia Zara, and Zhiye Zhou (Angelica) co-created a nine-piece sculptural ensemble that reimagines the College’s legacy—not as a fixed monument, but as a dynamic, evolving space shaped by every individual who walks its halls.

The exhibition, curated by Christos Asomatos, Ana S. González Rueda, and Ioanna Papapavlou, sprouted from a spontaneous Monday morning brainstorming session between Dean Helena Maragou and the Visual Arts faculty in September 2024. What began as a conceptual spark soon flourished into a multidimensional, collaborative project involving curators, students, and educators alike.

AWARDS 1 TO 9 explores the symbolic and emotional weight of “awards”—not as institutional accolades but as metaphors for transformation, growth, and identity. With the support of curatorial assistant Anthi Stergiou, each student-artist delved into these themes, guided by Kotretsos’ research-based artistic practice, which encourages speculative approaches to knowledge-making. As Stergiou notes, this process reframed the idea of recognition—not as a certificate or prize, but as the act of co-creation itself.

The physical making of these works was itself an act of recognition. Initially expecting just a few participants, Kotretsos was met with an enthusiastic response from nine students. Despite tight timelines, changing weather, and academic pressures, they built large-scale pieces outdoors with the technical support of Don Hong and the generous permission of Michalis Orontis, transforming the Pierce courtyard into a temporary sculpture lab. “This was never a class assignment,” Kotretsos reflects, “but a full-fledged creative collaboration. We shared everything—ideas, logistics, problem-solving, even budgets.”

The strength of AWARDS 1 TO 9 lies in its tension between individual expression and collective vision. Each work began as a personal reflection but was honed through dialogue, feedback, and teamwork. The result is a singular installation composed of distinct yet interconnected voices—a testament to the shared nature of learning and artistic growth.

Importantly, the project subverted traditional hierarchies. “I wasn’t just their instructor—I was invited in as a fellow artist. That changed everything,” Kotretsos explains. Students were treated as peers, and they rose to the occasion. For many, this marked their first experience exhibiting work professionally. These sculptures now stand as more than student projects—they are portfolio-ready contributions to a major institutional milestone.

The historical resonance of the College—founded in 1875 in Smyrna by Mary West, relocated to Athens after the Catastrophe of Smyrna, and transformed many times through war and relocation—is embedded in the exhibition’s title. The show reflects not a linear progression but a “constellation of lived, institutional memory.” This perspective permeates AWARDS 1 TO 9, which interrogates themes of recognition, academic worth, and identity formation.

Working closely with curatorial assistant Anthi Stergiou, the student-artists explored the conceptual terrain of “awards”—not as institutional trophies but as metaphors for growth, transformation, and the complex markers of validation. Stergiou’s curatorial text situates Kotretsos’ pedagogical practice within a broader artistic discourse, noting that “her research-based art practice encourages speculative approaches to the production of knowledge.” Each student’s contribution reinterprets what it means to be “awarded,” not through a certificate, but through creative shared authorship.

In truth, the very process of making the work was itself an award. Kotretsos, expecting a few students to take up the open call, was surprised when nine stepped forward, braving tight deadlines, adverse weather, and packed academic schedules to build large-scale works outdoors. With the technical support of Mr. Don Hong and the generous permission of Mr. Michalis Orontis, the group transformed the Pierce courtyard into a working sculpture lab. “This was not a class project,” Kotretsos explains, “but a real-life creative collaboration. We shared responsibility for everything—conceptual development, problem-solving, budgeting, and installation.”

The installation’s power lies in its balance between individuality and unity. Each sculpture began as a personal reflection, then evolved through group dialogue and hands-on collaboration. AWARD 1 by Zhou (Angelica) introduces the nurturing metaphor of the institution as a maternal body. AWARD 2 and AWARD 3 explore transformation and cultural identity, while AWARD 4 by Kainourgiou honors women’s intellectual labor in academia. Time and memory take center stage in AWARD 5, and AWARD 6 by Nicolaou evokes the shedding and renewal of identity.

Other pieces reinterpret symbols of success and ambition—Bonas’ AWARD 7 turns sails into trophies, while Dollete’s AWARD 8 depicts institutional knowledge as a genetic legacy. The final sculpture, AWARD 9 by Zara, gestures toward a future of self-determination beyond the institution’s sesquicentennial.

This nine-part ensemble resists individual authorship in favor of a shared narrative: academic life is not a solitary path, but one marked by interconnectedness, diversity, and evolution. “This was the most rewarding experience I’ve had at Deree,” Kotretsos shares. “We became a 10-person creative team—laughing, problem-solving, and building something greater than the sum of its parts.”

The mentorship model underpinning the project challenges conventional hierarchies. “I wasn’t just their instructor—I was an artist invited to participate. That changed everything,” she says. The students were treated as peers, and they responded with maturity and passion. For many, it was their first experience exhibiting professionally, and the impact was profound. Their work now forms part of their portfolios—not as student exercises, but as real-world contributions to a major institutional milestone.

The cultural diversity of the team further enriched the project. With students from Greece, China, the Philippines, and Cyprus, the group fostered a dialogue that was both global and deeply personal. “World, please do not break their spirit,” Kotretsos urges. “These artists have everything it takes—and more.”

In AWARDS 1 TO 9, the act of making became a living form of recognition. It’s a lesson in mentorship, a celebration of emerging voices, and a reminder that institutions are shaped by the people who dare to reimagine them.

Participating artists:

Dionisis Christofilogiannis x Elen Demiryan x Christos Dielas x Carolina Gadia x Theodora Hareras x Aristi Kouri x Giorgos Papazoglou x Giannis Sarris x Ainsley Silberhorn x George Theodorakakos x Pres- ton Tsouanatos x Nikos Vagias x Alexandra Yaneva x Zhou Zhiye, Effie Halivopoulou x Nikos Falagas x Tim Ward x Konstantina Chatzouli x Natalia Zara, Zoe Hatziyannaki, Dimitris Ioannou x Evan Katsounis x Katerina Milesi, Giorgos Ioannou, Georgia Kotretsos x Jason Bonas x Maria-Luisa Dollete x Anna Giakoumakatou x Phoebe Kainourgiou x Fani Koulocheri x Phivi Nicolaou x Vaggi Sekifu x Na- talia Zara x Zhiye Zhou, Michael Lekakis, Sigrid McCabe, Irini Miga, Jennifer Nelson x performances by student and faculty volunteers, Emer O’ Brien, The Frances Rich Estate, Oliver Steindecker, Takis

Performances during the opening:

Jennifer Nelson x ACG Choir x Nefeli Beri x Effi Minakoulis x student volunteers And
Daphne Mourelou x Sabina Andrea Allen

Curatorial Assistants: Amelia McRae, Katerina Merkouri, Katerina Milesi, Athena Mosenthal, Evangelia Ntampanli, Anthi Stergiou (Αrt History and Theatre Arts and Dance Department students, Deree – The American College of Greece)