The Foundation
The Centre for the Study of Modern Pottery – G. Psaropoulos Family Foundation is a museum, research, and educational institution dedicated to Greek and Mediterranean ceramics from the modern period (16th – 20th century). It was founded in 1987 by Betty Psaropoulou and became a Foundation in 1993, under the supervision of the Ministries of Culture and Finance (Government Gazette 297B/28-4-1993).
The foundation is a non-profit private legal entity, dedicated to the discovery, collection, preservation, study, and presentation of materials related to ceramic art, as well as any other activities associated with it.
The museum is housed in a neoclassical building dating to 1875, at 4-6 Melidoni Street. The building is a notable example of neoclassical architecture from the era. Before being adapted for its current purpose, it was a residence and belonged to the family of Dimitrios Petropoulos.
In 1967, the Archaeological Council decided to expropriate the property for archaeological purposes (Act No. 13/15-12-1967). Later, in 1996, the Ministry of Culture & Tourism granted the property to the Centre for the Study of Modern Pottery (decision ΥΠΠΟ/ΑΠΑΛΛ/Φ12/55798/1524) for accommodating its exhibition rooms. The restoration of the building was co-financed by the European Union.
The Founder
Betty Psaropoulou (1930 – 2009) was the founder of the Centre for the Study of Modern Pottery. Born into a middle-class Athenian family during the interwar period, she was exposed early on to influential figures in literary and artistic circles, sparking her interest in popular culture and folk art.
As early as the 1950s, she began collecting ceramics, recognizing their significance in everyday life. Her apprenticeship with master Panos Valsamakis furthered her passion. Her collection of ceramics, along with the knowledge she gained during extensive research trips across Greece, formed the foundation for the opening of the Centre.
The establishment of the Centre for the Study of Modern Pottery stands as a testament to Betty Psaropoulou’s deep passion for the art and the people of clay. With dedication and rigor, she meticulously studied the pottery and archival material she gathered, consistently publishing articles and monographs.
In her later years, she championed the work of contemporary artists, including Ira Triantafyllidi, Eleftheria Drossaki, and others.
Betty Psaropoulou published several monographs, scientific articles and edited exhibition catalogues.
- Psaropoulou B. 1986. Last potters of the East Aegean. (Academy of Athens Award)
- Psaropoulou B. 1990. The pottery of yesterday in Kythera and Kythnos.
- Psaropoulou B. 2005. The utilitarian pottery of the past in Naxos
- Psaropoulou B & N. Simantirakis. 2007. Thrapsano: a village of potters.
- Psaropoulou B. ed. 1997. Celebrating the jug.
- Psaropoulou B. ed. 1996. Tsanak Kale: the castle of pottery
