Tucked into a quiet corner of Kolonaki, one of Athens’ most elegant neighborhoods, lies a small atelier with wooden floors, splashes of color, and the faint scent of fresh paint mixed with coffee. This is where 31-year-old Christos Raptis paints, hosts, and welcomes curious visitors into his world—one brushstroke and one glass of wine at a time.
Three years ago, when he got the keys to this 70-square-meter ground-floor space, Raptis had two intentions: to make it a home, and to make it a space for art. What he didn’t quite expect was that it would evolve into one of the city’s most quietly beloved creative hubs, thanks in large part to his now-popular Art and Wine workshops.
“It all started as an activity with friends who wanted to paint while sharing a glass of wine, and I didn’t expect it would turn into such a big thing” he says with a smile. “ Now people come alone, with friends, or even on dates. Some want to disconnect. Some want to meet people. But almost everyone leaves a little more peaceful.”
From Kefalonia to New York—and Back Again
Raptis’ artistic journey began far from the galleries of Athens. Raised on the lush Ionian island of Kefalonia, he spent his early twenties working in restaurants and fish tavernas. Then came a job offer in New York that changed everything.
“It was the best decision of my life—not because I left, but because I saw,” he says. In Manhattan, he found himself drawn to spaces like MoMA and events like Fashion Week. “That was the beginning. I didn’t know it yet, but I was absorbing everything.”
Years of travel followed—Rome, Paris, Amsterdam—but it was back in Kefalonia, during Greece’s pandemic lockdown, that the spark fully lit.
Christos Raptis.
“One day I was bored out of my mind—PlayStation, Netflix, everything. And I said to myself: why don’t you try painting? Just to create something. To uplift your spirit.”
He painted a few pieces and, with quiet curiosity, showed them to friends—without revealing he was the artist.
“I told them I was thinking of buying them. Some said they didn’t like them, some weren’t sure. But others said they really did. That gave me joy—because I saw that what I liked, someone else liked too. And that’s very important for an artist.”
Rooted in Kefalonia, Thriving in Athens
By 2022, Raptis had settled into his Kolonaki studio. His first exhibition—overwhelmingly supported by his Kefalonian network in Athens—drew over 250 visitors and sold out.
An artwork by Christos Raptis titled Myrtos, inspired by the world-renowned beach of the same name in Kefalonia.
“My island has supported me immensely,” he says. “People who’ve known me since I was a kid—even Kefalonians abroad, in Australia, in the U.S.—have bought my work.”
His connection to the island remains strong, even as his career expands. Every summer, his works are featured in a high-end restaurant in Kefalonia, offering guests a full sensory experience: fresh seafood, fine wine, and the chance to enjoy his paintings in a setting that reflects the island’s natural beauty. It’s a fitting extension of his philosophy—art isn’t just something to view; it’s something to feel and live through.
In the years since, Raptis has presented three solo shows, participated in Technopolis’ “100 Artists” exhibition (March 2023), and recently returned from London, where he delivered a trio of commissioned paintings inspired by three beloved Kefalonian beaches for a high-end Greek restaurant.
He’s also in talks with the Greek Film Centre on an upcoming visual collaboration, and he’s hosted incentive workshops and corporate partnerships. His reach is growing—but his philosophy remains grounded.
A work by Christos Raptis titled “Melissani”. The piece was presented at the City of Athens’ 2023 exhibition at Technopolis, titled ‘Exhibition 100 | Visual Artists Create in the Beautiful Country’.
Art and Wine: A Workshop Without Pressure
At the heart of Raptis’ practice is his Art and Wine workshop—a unique session that draws Athenians and travelers alike for two hours of relaxed painting, casual conversation, and a glass of wine.
“People often ask, ‘Can I come alone?’ Of course,” he says. “Some even come on first dates. Others just want to unplug. And they leave saying, ‘Christos, that was amazing.’ Not because of the wine—you can drink anywhere. But because they focused. They relaxed. They used their hands. They stepped away from digital overload and entered the here and now.”
The sessions are welcoming to all skill levels. Some participants ditch brushes entirely, opting to paint with their fingers. Others leave surprised at what they’ve created. The point isn’t perfection—it’s presence.
“There’s a growing need—almost an urgency—to return to cultural experiences for our mental health,” he explains. “People want to create with their hands. To feel something again.”
The workshops, offered in Greek or English, are available for private bookings, corporate events, and birthdays—either in the atelier or off-site.
“The idea is not just to paint. It’s to experience art. To lose track of time. To reconnect.”
Living as an Artist in Today’s Greece
Being an emerging artist in Greece comes with its challenges.
“People haven’t been raised to integrate art into their daily lives. Visual art is still treated as a luxury,” Raptis notes. “But things are shifting. Social media has helped. More people are visiting galleries and museums. And they’re realizing how healing a simple walk through an exhibition can be.”
He’s candid about the doubts he’s faced.
“Of course there were whispers—‘Who does he think he is, painting now?’ But I focused on those who supported me. If what you’re doing brings you joy and respects others, why should there be hesitation?”
His inspiration remains rooted in Kefalonia—its nature, its light, and its people.
“ Waves “ 100 x 100
“Kefalonia is my foundation. I keep strong ties with it, but I also believe in leaving. In exploring. That’s how we grow.”
His motto? “Life is one. We don’t know if there’s a second. So do it. Do it now.”
For more information on Christos Raptis’s work, upcoming exhibitions, and his Art & Wine workshops, please visit his official website.
