OPEN.CALL.
TO PHOTO GRAPHERS
 

R2I is looking for 8 photographers who will participate in the Residency for Photographers in Ithaca, Greece

27 August – 11 September 2026

Ithaca, the mythical island of Odysseus, invites you on a photographic journey of discovery, reflection, and creation.

Join us for a two-week photography program dedicated to themes drawn from the Odyssey: Home, Return, Memory, Transformation, Temptation, Belonging, Hospitality, Sacrifice, Adventure.

Work alongside an international community of artists and esteemed curators as you explore Ithaca’s diverse terrain-its shores, mountains, villages and mythic landmarks. Throughout the residency you will develop your personal project engage in collective research and share your process in a final open studio and a series of public events.

What is Return2Ithaca: It is more than an artist residency, it is a space for deep reflection, creative growth, and meaningful connections with fellow artists from across the globe. Participants will have the chance to present their work to a global audience while gaining inspiration from the island’s mythological and cultural essence.

What Makes the Residency Unique?

Mentorship: Participants work with internationally renowned curators, gaining valuable insights, reviews, and mentorship. For participating curators in the last years look at www.return2ithaca.gr

Collaborative Experience: Engage in team interactions, workshops, and guided tours while enjoying time for personal creative development.

Focus on Critical Themes: Discuss social, environmental, racial, and contemporary issues in photography and art which concern the world today.

2026 Theme: “The Journey Back as a Path Forward”
This year’s theme invites participants to reflect on the essence of journeys whether physical, emotional, or intellectual and the transformative stories that unfold along the way.

As reference for the theme and the concept we suggest the C. Cavafy’s Poem ‘Ithaca”

What we offer:

- Accommodation: Shared twin rooms at the Center of Environmental Education. The Center is facing the sea and it is located at the port of Vathy in Ithaca. Some rooms share a common bathroom. 

- Breakfast:  for 15 days.

- Learning Opportunities: Lectures on the Odyssey, Ithaca’s history, and its cultural significance. This challenge invites artists to draw inspiration from a piece of global cultural heritage. The aim is to reinterpret and reimagine this heritage through personal expression and contemporary techniques. 

- Island Exploration: Guided tours of Ithaca’s paths and interactions with locals to uncover historical narratives and family retrospectives.

- Creative Development: Workshops and discussions with the curators evolving the initial idea of the depiction of Odyssey and ending with the building or developing of the project. One-on-one sessions with curators to refine personal projects.

- Public Exposure:

- Promotion of the events through www.return2ithaca.gr , return2ithaca Facebook, Instagram and Media.

- Invitation letters to whom may request.

- Exhibition or projection of the final works (organized by the R2I team).

- The cost of presentation material (printed or projected) will be covered by the organizers.

Note: Travel and /or additional accommodation costs are covered by the participating Photographers.

How to get in Ithaca : More information here 

Participant Commitments:

- Provide all the material requested by the organizers: A CV, including a portrait photo, date of birth & nationality of the participant, samples of their personal work in the set deadlines.

- Attend all events and activities during the residency.

- Stay on the island for the entire duration of the Residency. 

- Offer an artist’s talk and present their retrospective work to the public during the event.

- Participate in every event both in person and online meetings with the curators.

- Deliver a final body of work and accompanying materials connected to the main concept of the program (artist statement, high-resolution images) by agreed deadlines (There is no obligation to deliver the work during the Residency). 

- Participation in exhibitions, or projections, or printing editions that will follow the Residency Program is obligatory.

Rights and Disclaimers:

- Photographers retain copyright of their work.

- Selected works may be used (with credit) for R2I’s promotional materials and media coverage.

- Participants are responsible for their insurance and medical coverage during the residency.

For more information, visit: return2ithaca.gr

We would wish the participants to become ambassadors and explore the journey, create impactful work, and become part of Ithaca’s legacy!

 

The Jury

Arianna Rinaldo (Independent Curator Italy) – Nina Kassianou (Artistic Director of R2I Residency Program Greece) - Angela Ferreira ( Portugal) - Hans-Joachim Gögl (Austria)

How To Apply

Eligibility: International photographers & Greek Photographers

Submission Details 

- Up to 2 portfolios (8–12 photos each) on a specific them forming a personal photographic view.

- File analysis: 20 photos max, in a file of 10 Mb max or video.

- An artist statement (300 words max) for each of the submitted portfolios and a short CV (300 words max)

- Send portfolios, CV & statement on one single file by email to: opencallithaca@gmail.com  

- Mail subject:  "Residency2Ithaca 2026" and your name

- Deadline 28 of February 2026

- Participation fee: 25 euro By PayPal here

- Announcement of selected artists: By end of March 2026

Authorizations & Rights

- Copyright over each entry remains the property of the photographer.

- Participants must confirm that they are the authors and copyright owners of all images/work submitted and that their work does not infringe the privacy, copyright, or any other rights of any person.

- By participating, you provide the permission to organizers to use the selected entries, for publications, for the website, social media and/or any promotional material, being credited and only this kind of use (any commercial request will be arranged by the Author ). Images from each selected entry may be released to the press to illustrate an article or report that reviews on the Open Call and the organization will not be required to pay any additional fee or request any additional approval in relation to such use.

Personal Data

Publication of personal data:
The entrant agrees that their full name, place of birth and respective URL may be published in relation to their submission. 

Insurance disclaimer.

For all the participants of the Residency, insurance and medical coverage for the duration of the residency are the responsibility of the individual participating residents. 

Take the Journey. Return to Ithaca.

Apply now and be part of a unique artistic adventure.
👉 www.return2ithaca.gr