TiACF26: Exhibitions: Mapping Athens’ Artistic Communities

This May, TiACF2026 returns to prove that the best bits of the city aren't always on the mainstream maps. We’re moving beyond the landmarks and diving headfirst into the heartbeat of our neighbourhoods. From 1 May to 31 May, the city transforms into a living, breathing stage where you can anticipate lived experiences that often blur the lines between art and daily life. We’re taking over the spots you walk past every day: the quiet neighbourhood squares, the courtyards in "off-grid" districts, and the sun-drenched rooftops and backstreets only locals know how to find. With over 300 free events, this isn't just a festival happening in Athens; it’s a festival made by the city, for the city. It’s your festival. Check out our curated selection or go to the official TiACF26 website to see what's on throughout May.

At the heart of this programme, the exhibitions strand offers a deeper look into the city’s artistic communities, bringing together a wide spectrum of practices that reflect Athens’ creative pulse today. Across galleries and unexpected spaces alike, artists explore themes of light, memory, identity and the urban experience, while broader thematic projects open up conversations around environment and city life. From solo presentations to large-scale group shows and retrospectives, the programme highlights both emerging and established voices, tracing artistic journeys across decades and disciplines. Photography also plays a central role, balancing global perspectives with more personal, locally rooted narratives. Together, these exhibitions form a dynamic cultural map of the city, one that listens to its artists, supports creative dialogue, and invites audiences to experience Athens through a multitude of creative lenses.

01/05, Natassa Metaxa: Light is Life, Art Project Space
01/05, Giorgos Tserionis: AFTER, The City of Athens Gallery
02,12/05, Athina Pappa: Angel Energy, Art Zone 42
01,14/05, Costas Ordolis: Cities Made of Paper, Ikastikos Kyklos
01,05,13/05, Christina Paraskevopoulou: Symbioses, Artshot – Sophia Gaitani
01,05,12,19/05, Marilia Fotopoulou: Iconostases, Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre
01,07,14,21/05, Evgenia Grigoraki: Roadside Shrines, Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre
01,07,14,21,28/05, Dimitris Rentoumis: Solo Exhibition, Crux Gallery
01,05,12,19,26/05, Ecological Translation, Goethe-Institut Athen
01,05,12,19,26/05, Nikolas Klironomos: A Retrospective (1985–2025), The City of Athens Gallery
01,04,11,18,25/05, Inna Orlik: The Permanent Collection, Orlik Gallery
01,07,14,21,28/05, Andreas Spiliotopoulos: Heroes of Today, Astrolavos Art Gallery
01,06,13,20,27/05, Vera Stavrinadi: Pop-Up Frequencies, Astrolavos Art Gallery
01,05,12,19,26/05, Panos Charalambous: COLUMBIA, CITRONNE Gallery
05,12,19/05, ATHENS: AM EXTENDED, metacosmoi
05,11,18,25/05, Constantine Xenakis – Dimitris Chiotopoulos: Writing and Trace, Gallery Ersi 
06,11,18,25/05, Athens: Urban Frictions, Macart’s Cultural Space
07,14,21,28/05, Giorgos Louloudis: The Path of Light – The Innate, Genesis Gallery
07,13,20,27/05, Dr. Yiannis N. Tzortzis: Greenland, a.antonopoulou.art Gallery
08,12,19/05, Kristine Lippire: From LA to Athens – Notes on Light and Material, Phoenix Athens
08,13,20,27/05, Nikos Kalafatis: Primavera, Technohoros Art Gallery
09,14/05, Gerasimos Galiatsatos: Phi of Light, Mosaico Fine Art Studio
14,21,28/05, Dimitra Siaterli: Cohesive Networks, The City of Athens Gallery
16-18/05, 1945: The End of the War, Public Tobacco Factory
20,27/05, Alexandros Georgiou, Rebecca Camhi Gallery
20,26/05, Demosthenes Agrafiotis: “Xαrtιά” [Crossroads & Junctions] 1975–2025, Art Project Space
29,30,31/05, Athens Photo World: The FIFA World Cup 1930–2026 by the Associated Press, National Garden
29,30,31/05, Athens Photo World: Michalis Pappas – Mitos, The Thread of Greece, The Athens Concert Hall – Megaron