A double achievement for the Research Lab of Fresco painting and the Technique of Portable Icons of the Athens School of Fine Arts (A.S.F.A.), which obtained the Platinum and Gold awards at the Education Leaders Awards 2024. Associate Professor Dimosthenis Avramidis, Director of the Research Lab and Principal Investigator of the research Project “Teaching of Fresco Painting to Children / The Greek Painting Tradition in Education: ‘The Wall Has Its Own Story’” received the Platinum and Gold awards at the Education Leaders Awards 2024 for the innovative approach to teaching and learning.

During the award ceremony held on Monday, July 1, at the National Insurance Conference Centre, the research project funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) was awarded the Excellence Award in the category “Innovation in Teaching” and the Gold Award in the category “Innovation in Teaching in Public Secondary Education”.

“The success of the project and its being distinguished with a Gold Award in the category ‘Innovation in Secondary Education’, as well as Excellence in the category ‘Education/Extroversion’ in all categories and levels of education at the Education Leaders Awards 2024, was determined by the approval and funding under the 3rd Call of the Action ‘Science and Society’ entitled ‘Research, Innovation and Dissemination Hubs’ of the H.F.R.I, which has contributed considerably to the artistic education of our country,” stated Mr Avramidis.

The research Project “Teaching of Fresco Painting to Children / The Greek Painting Tradition in Education: “The Wall Has Its Own Story” in secondary education aims to foster respect for murals in public spaces and to develop manual skills in the digital age. As the oldest Greek painting practice, Fresco Painting is simple, has no environmental footprint and combines diverse scientific and artistic knowledge, making it an invaluable educational tool. At the same time, the overall immersion experience is multi-sensory and team collaboration oriented.

The Project was developed in two phases: initially, the Project Team, consisting of teachers-artists and members of the A.S.F.A., compiled educational material available in the A.S.F.A.’s e-class. The second phase was implemented in 12 schools nationwide. The teachers were trained, and the students were provided with the necessary equipment to create portable frescoes. The Project concluded with the exhibition of the students’ works at the A.S.F.A., with all transport expenses covered, where each school presented their work at a special event.