Where 55 years of creative history meet tomorrow.
The opening of the AKTO Art & Design Show 2026 at the AKTO Thessaloniki Campus was a great success, marking the completion of another creative academic year.
AKTO’s largest student Art & Design exhibition opened its doors, hosting hundreds of works that capture the creativity, research, and evolution of the new generation of creators. Members of the student and academic community, AKTO Alumni, representatives of the creative industry, partners, journalists, and friends of AKTO gathered for an evening that highlighted the Institution’s timeless mission: to connect creative education with society and professional reality.
AKTO 55: A journey through the history of creative education
A special place in this year’s event was held by the anniversary exhibition AKTO 55, which attracted significant interest from visitors.
Through rich archival material, rare photographs, publications, printed matter, and historical documents, AKTO’s journey from 1971 to today was presented. People, spaces, study programs, significant milestones, and creative initiatives formed a vibrant narrative that highlighted not only the Institution’s history but also its timeless contribution to shaping education in Arts and Design in Greece.
Creativity gains value when it meets practice
This year’s exhibition highlighted AKTO’s philosophy regarding Real Work Projects in the most substantial way: the collaboration of students with real organizations and businesses, through authentic creative challenges.
Students of BA (Hons) Graphic Design presented their proposals developed for INTERSPORT, demonstrating how a real professional brief is transformed into comprehensive design solutions.
Next, works created in collaboration with EKOME were presented, highlighting the role of creative design in the fields of cinema, audiovisual media, and contemporary cultural production.
The creations of BA (Hons) Fashion Design students also garnered significant interest, developed in collaboration with Attrattivo, confirming AKTO’s dynamic relationship with the contemporary fashion industry.
AKTO 55 Real Work Projects
The evening culminated with the awards for the AKTO 55 Real Work Projects, presented by AKTO’s CEO, Dr. Stella Kyrimi.
To mark AKTO’s 55 years of creative journey, students from the Animation, Comics & Cartoon, Interior Architecture, and Product Design programs were invited to create original proposals inspired by the Institution’s history, values, and future.
The awards highlighted the creativity, innovation, and academic quality of the submissions, proving that for AKTO, history is not only a significant legacy but also a starting point for the ideas and creators of tomorrow.
The exhibition continues
The AKTO Art & Design Show 2026 continues until September 25, presenting diploma projects and works from the Graphic Design, Interior Architecture, Comics & Cartoon, Fashion Design, Animation, and Product Design programs.
We invite you to visit the AKTO Thessaloniki Campus and experience an exhibition where 55 years of creative education, contemporary artistic expression, and a substantial connection to the job market converge in one space.
