Stefania Andreescu, student from Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, Romania
This image captures a picturesque Mediterranean coastal scene, featuring a sunlit villa adorned with lush green ivy cascading down its cream-colored walls. The villa’s arched doorways and wooden shutters evoke timeless elegance. A serene pathway lined with potted plants leads to a tranquil overlook, where a lone figure gazes at the azure sea. Sailboats glide peacefully across the water, and a majestic mountain rises in the background under a vivid blue sky dotted with soft, fluffy clouds. Framed by tropical palm leaves, this idyllic moment radiates warmth and a sense of calm escape.
Anastasia Munteanu, student from Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, Romania
The painting “Un’ altra dimensione ” (Another Dimension) portrays the harmony between two distinct realms—above and below the waterline—inviting the viewer into a world of beauty, mystery, and connection. The title hints at a journey beyond the familiar, encouraging us to explore realities that often go unnoticed. The underwater dimension is vividly depicted with a sea turtle gracefully gliding through crystal-clear waters, surrounded by vibrant coral formations. This serene marine world conveys a sense of wonder, emphasizing the hidden richness of life beneath the surface.
Above the waterline, the scene transitions to a serene coastal setting during sunset. The sky is painted in warm, radiant hues of orange and yellow, blending into cooler tones of blue and green, suggesting the end of a day. The interplay of light and color reflects off the water’s surface, adding to the painting’s depth and atmosphere.
The middle ground showcases several sailboats navigating a calm bay. The most prominent vessel, named “EU-CONEXUS” is depicted in detail, with its sails unfurled and a figure aboard, possibly steering. The boats are arranged in a dynamic yet balanced composition, suggesting a peaceful maritime activity, possibly leisure or local trade.
In the background, a quaint coastal village nestles among green hills, with whitewashed buildings cascading toward the water. The soft brushstrokes and warm tones evoke a Mediterranean or tropical ambiance, inviting a sense of idyllic tranquility.
The painting creates a harmonious blend of marine and terrestrial themes, portraying the interconnectedness of human activity and nature. The detailed elements, such as the coral, the turtle, the boats, and the village, work together to narrate a story of coexistence, beauty, and serenity in a coastal paradise.
Patricia Cavanagh, student from South East Technological University, Ireland
My work wishes to address issues relating to feelings of displacement, uprootedness and the need to find safety and a sense of home. In my art, I use mixed media and found objects as metaphors for suffering, survival and the hope of finding a new purpose. I use found objects, (man-made and from the natural environment) damaged, discarded, washed-up at coastal areas, and other areas including areas of social deprivation. These objects are born again through creativity. In their worn-out state they represent the human condition of resilience. In their variety and quirkiness, they illustrate the saying “it takes all sorts to make up the world”. My art demonstrates my wish for all countries and the global community to have compassion, and to foster inclusion and diversity. The title to this open submission competition “Welcome to the Hotel Mediterranean” is very pertinent. In my own country, Ireland, we have received immigrants from war torn countries that have initially been placed in hotels. These hotels have been transformed in to refugee centres for asylum seekers. I have been moved by the extraordinary courage of these people looking for safety and home in a different land. The Mediterranean is associated with a warm climate and a beautiful sea. In our northern European wet and cold climate, we Irish are often envious of those living in Mediterranean areas. However, we realise that even the Mediterranean Sea holds plenty trauma. Cyprus has had its share of human suffering. Heaven and hell often inhabit the same place in land, sea and in our hearts. I would like to think, the title “Welcome to the Hotel Mediterranean” represents an open-hearted compassion for all those needing refuge. On a personal note, my first sculpture titled “Washed-up, but Here” also represents my own feeling of suffering, loss and wish for renewal.
Eimear Ryan Power, student from South East Technological University, Ireland
As many parents work within the hospitality section in the Mediterranean, this work is meant to show how some children have to celebrate their milestones in their parents workplace as they need to pay bills. This project details a little girl celebrating her birthday on hotel grounds. Seen in the background, the vacationers are enjoying their sunny day while their pale skin burns due to the heat, including the contrast as the girl is fully covered up since she is used to the heat. This girl is seen blowing out her candles on a cake depicting the hotel either her mother or father works in, with a small present to her right as a birthday gift from said parents. Despite celebrating her birthday in the hotel, it is clear that the girl is still enjoying her time. While this is a reality for many people within the Mediterranean culture, children can be quite understanding of the circumstances, only caring if their parents are there or not. Kids have no concept of how money and jobs work. Which is the reason why I wanted to depict a joyful girl enjoying her time, not knowing why she is celebrating her birthday in her parents’ job. I also wanted the depiction of what is happening in my project to mouldable to anyone who experienced this when they were younger, making it a relatable piece to many people lives.
Eleftheria Garoufali, student from Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
This rocky shore is located on the island of Samos. Samos is located in the Aegean Sea. Hundreds of people have the opportunity to admire this raw landscape and appreciate its beauty. The Indigenous Mediterranean plants offer some tranquility with the waves crashing on the shore. Yet some cannot help but feel the exact opposite of calm. How can they when they’ve lost their families at those very shores? How can they, when they cross this sea powered by hope for a better future, but instead go through horrific experiences? This is not a beautiful landscape, this is a tragic one. This is the place that was once only admired for its beauty. Now, the beauty is lost, or rather set aside, tragedy taking its rightful place.
The photo is of a drawing I created. I grew up on Samos Island. In 2015, immigrants from Syria came to Samos from Turkey with an aim and a hope: to go to Europe and live a life away from war there. Today, in 2025, immigrants still come to Samos, risking their lives on rafts, trying to find a better life. These rocks are hostile and continue to be to this day.
Ema Starčević, student from University of Zadar, Croatia
The Mediterranean Sea is the heart of the Mediterranean. A heart that can be described as the last move left on the canvas. A heart where living beings; animals, plants and humans coexist in a complex ecosystem that has historically played key roles, both ecological, sociocultural and economic. This sea is home to a variety of species that play a vital role in maintaining the balance of the picturesque ecosystem. Every living organism in this sea is just one small detail that contributes to the overall look and feel of the work of art. As time passed, along with the other smaller stains, a huge stain appeared, mass tourism, thus threatening to maintain the balance between the preservation and use of the Mediterranean Sea, which with its strength, attracts millions of visitors to the Mediterranean Sea every yea. Together with the overexploitation of the sea for business purposes, mass tourism contributes to disappearance of species and resources, as well as environmental degradation. It is important to understand that the Mediterranean Sea cannot survive without its diverse flora and fauna, as well as without the people who surround it. Preserving this unique ecosystem is crucial for the future of the region, but this will only be possible if the most harmful, but also the most capable living beings, humans, ensure that the heart of the Mediterranean continues to beat for all other living beings to come. Thus, this artwork presents the Mediterranean Sea, first as a home, and then as an attractive element that offers each host and guest a different sense of fulfillment, a feeling that every artist leaves behind when they finish their artistic work. The work shows those positive elements, but also negative elements that can be found on the very surface of the sea, all the way to its greatest depths, which is why it can be said that the theme is a mixture of animalism, still life and genre scene. The main elements of the work are all living beings, which are the most represented in the work, but human handicrafts also stand out, from historical artifacts trash. The paper emphasizes the recognizable blue-turquoise color with muted saturation. These, together with various games of light and shadow, fulfill the mentioned artistic elements, depending on their proximity and distance. In the background, a certain shade of orange appears with topographic textural lines, characterizing the land areas of neighboring countries, thus providing the work with a perfect complementary contrast, as well as a hot-cold contrast. When the artwork is looked at well, the surface of the Mediterranean Sea can be clearly noticed.
Andriana Constantinidou, student from Frederick University, Cyprus
The Mediterranean Sea, which connects Europe, Asia and Africa, is renowned for its rich history and cultural significance. The Mediterranean Sea has played a crucial role in the process of globalization throughout history, since its location, made it a vital trade route for ancient civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, and Phoenicians. These early trade networks facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures across continents, laying the groundwork for global interconnectedness. The region’s unique climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, supports a diverse array of ecosystems and has given rise to the celebrated Mediterranean diet. Today, it remains a top destination for tourists, who flock to its picturesque coastal towns, ancient ruins, and crystal-clear waters.
Despite facing environmental challenges such as pollution and overfishing, the Mediterranean Sea continues to captivate with its natural beauty and historical legacy. Furthermore, the Mediterranean Sea has served as a refuge for countless individuals and communities throughout history. For my project I decided to explore the different sides of the Mediterranean Sea focusing on the concept of homeland and migration.
For the concept of homeland I was inspired from my country’s rich history and culture and its connection to the sea, my main source of inspiration was local art and mythology. My other focus was migration which is sadly an issue that is always relevant since there are always countries in conflict and innocent people have to flee their homes and seek shelter in neighbouring countries using the Mediterranean Sea as route that connects them to a safer environment.
Thiseas Hadjiloizou, student from Frederick University, Cyprus
Mariam Artemiou, student from Frederick University, Cyprus
Inspired by the magnificent Mediterranean and how different it can be seen, depending on a person’s story, whether that is the breathtaking beauty and relaxation it can bring to a person that is lucky enough to visit, or the terrific way a person can view it, when they unfortunately have to cross over, abandoning their home. Whether that is due to the horrible consequences of wars or a difficult financial situation.
Styliana Artemiou, student from Frederick University, Cyprus
Representing both, the beautiful taste and feeling of the Mediterranean, and the darker, bitter side in which people constantly fight every day with all they have for a better life. Using different vibrant, saturated colors and elements we associate with the ocean, the beach, summertime holidays or immigration. Such as orange trees, pottery we come across in villages, turquoise and deep blue colored waves with the warm sun shining from above, vibrant sunsets filled with various shades of orange, yellow and pink, warm deep blue colors with the full faced mood and stars filling the entire night sky, or the various tough paths immigrants need to take, through cold waters or freezing paths filled with snow, in order to find a place bearable to stay that will later become their permanent home.
Charalambos Konstantinou, student from Frederick University, Cyprus
Picture from a beach which is located at the occupied side of Cyprus with a letter from a kid to her parents
Charalambos Konstantinou, student from Frederick University, Cyprus
Picture aimed to send out a message for the Genocide that’s happening in Gaza
Evanthia Mavrikordatou, student from Frederick University, Cyprus
We had to make 10 Illustrations about the Mediterranean Sea and show different topics like the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea, the pain of the immigrants, the good things, the bad things trying to combine them all in an illustration.
