The Benaki Museum Honors AKTO’s Founder, Dr. Vlassis Vellios | 55 Years of Art & Design
On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the Benaki Museum / Pireos 138 atrium hosted the Donors’ Day 2026, the annual event dedicated to the individuals and organizations that have consistently supported the Museum’s work.
As part of the event, the Benaki Museum Awards 2025 were presented by the President of the Administrative Committee, Eirini Geroulanou.
The “ANTONIS BENAKIS 2025” Award was presented to the 19 donors participating in the “Adopt a Position” Program, undertaking the support of scientific, administrative, and other positions within the Museum. Among the honorees was Dr. Vlassis Vellios of AKTO, for his timeless support of the Benaki Museum’s work through the adoption of the position of Applied Arts Coordinator, Ms. Dora Pikioni.
This specific recognition holds particular symbolism for the AKTO community. Applied arts, education through creative practice, and the belief that art and culture are an active part of society have been at the core of Dr. Vlassis Vellios’ and AKTO’s journey for 55 years.
The Award was received by his daughter, Maria Vellios, and his granddaughter, Dr. Stella Kyrimi, CEO of AKTO.
In her brief address, Maria Vellios referred to the long-standing and substantial relationship between the Benaki Museum and AKTO and its founder, a relationship based on shared values: faith in education, culture, and the importance of preserving and transmitting cultural legacy to future generations. Among other things, she stated: “I would like to sincerely thank the Benaki Museum, which gives us the opportunity to contribute a very small part to the enormous work it performs. It is our favorite Museum – it always has been – because it is the only Museum in the country that supports design so much. It often hosts exhibitions of architecture, graphic design, photography, which – as you know – is also our field. My father always said that he wanted to emphasize the relationship between fine and applied arts. This is something that the Benaki Museum promotes greatly. We love it and we will continue to love it. Congratulations to everyone! Thank you again, and good luck with strength.”
The “ANTONIS BENAKIS 2025” Award was presented (in alphabetical order) to the following: AMKE-AEGEAS, Kyveli Alexiou, George and Arietta Vardinoyannis, Demosthenes N. Vardinoyannis and Christina Vatsella, Vlassis Vellios – AKTO, Michael Chandris-The Hellenic College Trust, Miltiadis Gouzouris-HVA International (est. 1879), Captain Vassilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation, Yannis and Dimitra Koustas, Andreas and Alexandra Martinou, Dinos and Lia Martinou, Nikos Moundreas and Elli Stai, Nomikos Family, The Olayan Family, Qualco Foundation, Raycap, Marinella Samourka-Samourkas Foundation, Melina Travlou-Neptune Lines, Clelia Hadjioannou.
The “ANGELOS DELIVORRIAS 2025” Award, presented for the most significant donation enriching the museum collections, was awarded to Collector Pavlos Giannas, for his valuable donation of 47 works and objects that enrich the Museum’s Collection.
Equally moving was the keynote speech by Antonios G. Karabatzos, member of the Administrative Committee of the Benaki Museum and Professor at the Law School of EKPA, on the topic “Donation as an act of intergenerational offering”. As he characteristically mentioned, cultural donation is not reciprocal but an act of continuity and a legacy for future generations.
A thought that genuinely resonates with the vision of AKTO’s founder – that education, culture, and creation acquire true meaning when they are transmitted, evolve, and continue to inspire.
Also present at the event was the wife of the late AKTO founder, Argyroula Vellios, his life companion and essential partner in the educational and cultural journey he served through AKTO.
In a year when AKTO celebrates 55 years of specialized Art & Design studies, this distinction reminds us that education and culture are fundamentally connected when they serve a common purpose: to create conditions for knowledge, inspiration, and creative continuity for future generations. Because true contribution is not exhausted in the present; it transforms into a legacy for what is to come.
