CVAR - Severis Foundation

CVAR - Severis Foundation Unique museum showcasing the work of foreign artists on Cyprus, historical costumes and memorabilia

The Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR), located at 285 Ermou Street in the heart of the old city of Nicosia, is home to the unique collection of the Costas & Rita Severis Foundation showcasing the work of foreign artists on Cyprus. The CVAR also includes historical costumes and memorabilia related to three centuries of Cyprus’ history. It frequently holds educational events, workshops, tour

s, seminars and its research centre which is open to the public, houses an extensive collection of archives, over 10,000 books, and over 40,000 old photos related to Cyprus.

The Photographer Kadir KabaWill be presenting his new book onHistory of Cyprus Photography1839-1939The Story of a Centur...
23/06/2026

The Photographer Kadir Kaba
Will be presenting his new book on

History of Cyprus Photography
1839-1939
The Story of a Century

At CVAR, Thursday, 2 July 2026 at 6.30pm
The presentation will be in English and accompanied by many illustrations.

Bio:
Kadir Kaba was born in Mora/Meriç-Nicosia in 1947. He graduated from ITIA Ankara as an accountant in 1971. In 1975, he took up art photography in London. 1978-1981, he studied photography at Paddington College, School of Photography in London. He opened seven solo exhibitions, the first of which took place in London in 1980. Besides the international exhibitions titled “Beyond the Lines” and “Off Limits”, as well as local “Perspectives” group exhibitions, he took part in many group and joined exhibitions, and video-art works. He has curated National and International photographic exhibitions. He has been a member of national and international juries. In 1999, he was awarded the State Honour Award for his contribution to Turkish Cypriot Photography by the T.R.N.C. Ministry of Education and Culture. He founded the Cypriot Photographers’ Gallery in 2002. Kadir Kaba is a remarkable and singular historian of Cypriot photography. For over thirty years, he has been working as a professional photographer, gallerist and journalist for various newspapers and periodicals in London and Cyprus. He publishes articles and research on Turkish Cypriot Photography in newspapers and journals. He has published the fotograf sanat bulletin during 1998-2001.

👀 Sneak Peek: Cognac advertisement posterA framed and glazed advertisement poster for cognac. The poster depicts text, l...
19/06/2026

👀 Sneak Peek: Cognac advertisement poster

A framed and glazed advertisement poster for cognac. The poster depicts text, logos and grapes within a light blue bordered circle on a white background. Viva, G. Chatzisotiriou, Limassol, Cuprus.

❗️You can find this 'Sneak Peek' and more on our website
https://bit.ly/45zDlSJ

👓 You can see this artwork up close, in the ramp leading to the third floor of CVAR.

🎨PNT-01022 > G. Chatzisotiriou, Limassol, Cyprus, Cognac Advertisement poster, Print, 35x34cm, ca. 1940

Summer at CVAR! Με ιδιαίτερη χαρά υποδεχθήκαμε σήμερα 17 Ιουνίου μαθητές και μαθήτριες από το The Island Private School ...
17/06/2026

Summer at CVAR! Με ιδιαίτερη χαρά υποδεχθήκαμε σήμερα 17 Ιουνίου μαθητές και μαθήτριες από το The Island Private School of Limassol. Με ενθουσιασμό και αμείωτο ενδιαφέρον, τα παιδιά περιηγήθηκαν στους χώρους του Μουσείου και ταξίδεψαν στην ιστορία της Κύπρου, γνωρίζοντας σημαντικές πτυχές της από τον 18ο έως και τον 20ό αιώνα.

Ευχαριστούμε θερμά τους μαθητές, τις μαθήτριες και τους εκπαιδευτικούς του σχολείου για την παρουσία τους, καθώς και για το ενδιαφέρον και την προσοχή που επέδειξαν καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια της επίσκεψης.

Σχεδιασμός και υλοποίηση: Αίμιλη Χριστοφή

Για κρατήσεις και πληροφορίες:
22300990 / 22300991/ [email protected]

Το πρόγραμμα αποτελεί μέρος των Εκπαιδευτικών Προγραμμάτων CREATES, τα οποία υλοποιούνται με τη στήριξη του The Hellenic Initiative Canada και του Active Citizens Fund.

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Summer at CVAR! Today, June 17, we were delighted to welcome students from The Island Private School of Limassol. With enthusiasm and genuine curiosity, the children explored the Museum collections and embarked on a journey through the history of Cyprus, discovering important aspects of the island’s past from the 18th to the 20th century.

We warmly thank the students and teachers of the school for their visit, as well as for the interest and attention they demonstrated throughout the programme.

Designed and implemented by: Emily Christofi

For bookings and information:
22300990 / 22300991 / [email protected]

This programme forms part of the CREATES Educational Programmes, implemented with the support of The Hellenic Initiative Canada and the Active Citizens Fund.

🔍What am I looking at? Brass brazier Historically known as mangal it is a traditional portable metal container used to b...
17/06/2026

🔍What am I looking at? Brass brazier

Historically known as mangal it is a traditional portable metal container used to burn coal for heating, cooking or incense burning. It was primarily used by nomadic peoples, within Ottoman palaces, and in homes to provide warmth or a steady heat source to boil water and prepare food. It consists of a fire-safe basin on elevated legs or a pedestal to allow airflow, accompanied by a decorative domed cover or lid which safely radiates heat. The particular one has a pierced dome with twin handles and a bird figure on top. Ottoman script decorates the dome, bowl, stand and base.

🔖mmr-00540 > Brass Brazier, Brass, [s.d.]

👓 You can see this exhibit up close, along with many others, in the 3rd-floor exhibition room of CVAR.

❗Head to our website to explore this and future entries!
https://bit.ly/3QASPkM

Ευχές για ένα ξεκούραστο καλοκαίρι γεμάτο όμορφες στιγμές!Η φετινή σχολική χρονιά αποκάλυψε την ανάγκη της εκπαίδευσης ν...
16/06/2026

Ευχές για ένα ξεκούραστο καλοκαίρι γεμάτο όμορφες στιγμές!

Η φετινή σχολική χρονιά αποκάλυψε την ανάγκη της εκπαίδευσης να αντλήσει μέσα από την τέχνη έτσι ώστε να καλλιεργηθεί η αποδοχή, η συνεργασία και η οικοδόμηση νέων τρόπων ουσιαστικής συνύπαρξης και ειρήνης.

Με την ολοκλήρωση της σχολικής χρονιάς 2025–2026, το Κέντρο Εικαστικών Τεχνών & Έρευνας - CVAR ευχαριστεί θερμά όλα τα παιδιά που συμμετείχαν στα εκπαιδευτικά του προγράμματα, καθώς και τους εκπαιδευτικούς και τα σχολεία που στήριξαν με εμπιστοσύνη το έργο του Ιδρύματος Κώστα & Ρίτας Σεβέρη.

Η φετινή χρονιά ανέδειξε ακόμη περισσότερο τον ρόλο του Μουσείου ως έναν χώρο συνάντησης, όπου η τέχνη και η ιστορία γίνονται γέφυρες επικοινωνίας. Μέσα από τις δράσεις του CVAR, τα παιδιά είχαν την ευκαιρία να καλλιεργήσουν αξίες όπως η συνεργασία, η αποδοχή της διαφορετικότητας, η ειρήνη και η ουσιαστική συνύπαρξη. Σε έναν κόσμο που συνεχώς αλλάζει, αυτές οι αξίες παραμένουν στο επίκεντρο της εκπαιδευτικής μας αποστολής.

Θερμές ευχαριστίες απευθύνουμε επίσης στους συνεργάτες μας που συνέβαλαν ουσιαστικά στον εμπλουτισμό των φετινών προγραμμάτων, όπως τους: Παναγιώτα Γεωργίου από τον Όμιλο Τέχνης του Πανεπιστημίου Κύπρου, τον ηθοποιό Ανδρέα Αλκιβιάδη, την Παναγιώτα Ζιντίλη, τον συγγραφέα Πλούταρχο Ελευθερίου, τον καλλιτέχνη Σωτήρη Σεβαστίδη, Χριστίνα Παπαμιλτιάδου του Κυπριακού Συνδέσμου Πληροφορικής, τη Derya Tangul του European Union Infopoint, τον εκπαιδευτή σκύλων Στέφανο Σεβέρη και τον ερευνητή σκηνοθέτη Cyril Lafon.

Μέσα από σχολικές επισκέψεις, θεματικά εργαστήρια, ξεναγήσεις στη Λευκωσία και πολλές ακόμη συνεργασίες, το CVAR συνεχίζει να προσφέρει στα παιδιά βιωματικές εμπειρίες που ενισχύουν τον διάλογο, την κατανόηση και τον σεβασμό προς τον άλλον.

Οι μουσειοπαιδαγωγοί Κυριάκος Θεοχάρους και Αίμιλη Χριστοφή εκφράζουν τις θερμές τους ευχαριστίες σε όλους όσους συμμετείχαν σε αυτό το ταξίδι μάθησης και δημιουργίας.

Σας ευχόμαστε ένα όμορφο, ξέγνοιαστο καλοκαίρι!

It is with great pleasure that we announce the latest donation to the Centre of Visual Arts and Research: the Dr. Takis ...
12/06/2026

It is with great pleasure that we announce the latest donation to the Centre of Visual Arts and Research: the Dr. Takis K. Evangelides, Pulmonary Physician, Private Clinic (1935–2007), generously donated by his children, Annita and John Evangelides.

The exhibit is now on display on the first floor of the Museum, within the Medical and Hygiene section.

We are very grateful to the Evangelides family for choosing to entrust this interesting and valuable exhibit to our care.

See more about Dr Evangelides here:
https://wikibin.org/articles/takis-k-evangelides.html

👀 Sneak Peek: Ayios PhotiosDrawing of the tenth-century church at Agios Fotios with a clear blue sky above it. The surro...
12/06/2026

👀 Sneak Peek: Ayios Photios

Drawing of the tenth-century church at Agios Fotios with a clear blue sky above it. The surrounding grass and trees are rendered in shades of grey, giving the scene a cool feeling.

Andreas Philippou (1933–2023) was a prominent Cypriot artist, architect, and author. A co-founder of the prominent Nicosia-based firm J+A Philippou Architects, he dedicated over 60 years to design and to painting, with a focus on historical Cypriot landscapes.

You can find this 'Sneak Peek' and more on our website
https://bit.ly/45zDlSJ

👓 This artwork is not currently exhibited but is located in the CVAR’s ground-floor store room.

🎨PNT-01016 > Andreas Philippou (1933–2023), Ayios Photios, Coloured Pencil, 32x28cm, 2002

🔍What am I looking at? Vermeiren Trunk Red metal trunk with light green interior, two front latches and large, looping m...
10/06/2026

🔍What am I looking at? Vermeiren Trunk

Red metal trunk with light green interior, two front latches and large, looping metal side handles. Contains numerous art supplies belonging to the artist Joseph Vermeiren, including palettes, brushes, sketch books and other equipment. Painted on front: VERMEIREN. NICOSIA. CYPRUS. VIA LIMASSOL. 19.

Joseph Vermeiren was born in Belgium and studied at the Art Academy of Calais in France. Later, he graduated from the University of Louvain as an electrician and mineralogist. He worked in many countries, including Belgium, Colombia, Congo, and Cyprus. He never forgot his love for painting and in Belgium he attended lessons at the atelier of Marcel Astir. In 1959, he entered the Royal Arts Academy of Antwerp and specialised in portraits. He married the Cypriot Agnes Markides and settled in Cyprus, where he devoted most of his time to painting. He had many exhibitions in Nicosia, Larnaca and the British bases. He died in 1990.

🔖mmr-00544.01 > Easel, Wood, 20th century

👓 You can see this exhibit up close, along with many others, in the 3rd-floor exhibition room of CVAR.

❗Head to our website to explore this and future entries!
https://bit.ly/3QASPkM

Με επιτυχία ολοκληρώθηκαν και αυτή τη σχολική χρονιά τα εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα «Σάββατο στο Μουσείο» του Κέντρου Εικασ...
06/06/2026

Με επιτυχία ολοκληρώθηκαν και αυτή τη σχολική χρονιά τα εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα «Σάββατο στο Μουσείο» του Κέντρου Εικαστικών Τεχνών & Έρευνας. Ευχαριστούμε θερμά τα παιδιά, τις οικογένειες και όλους τους συνεργάτες που γέμισαν το Μουσείο με ενθουσιασμό, φαντασία και δημιουργικότητα.

Μέσα από δραστηριότητες εμπνευσμένες από τις συλλογές και τις εκθέσεις του CVAR, τα παιδιά είχαν την ευκαιρία να εξερευνήσουν την τέχνη και την ιστορία της Κύπρου. Πίνακες, αντικείμενα, ενδυμασίες και ιστορικές φωτογραφίες αποτέλεσαν αφορμή για ανακάλυψη, συζήτηση, παιχνίδι και καλλιτεχνική έκφραση.

Στο CVAR πιστεύουμε ότι η γνωριμία με την ιστορία μάς βοηθά να κατανοήσουμε καλύτερα τον κόσμο γύρω μας και να χτίσουμε ένα πιο αισιόδοξο μέλλον. Ευχόμαστε οι εμπειρίες που μοιραστήκαμε να καλλιεργήσουν στα παιδιά τις αξίες της κατανόησης, της συνεργασίας και της ειρηνικής συνύπαρξης.

🍉

Τα εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα Summer at CVAR 2026 ξεκινούν σύντομα!

Τα προγράμματα αυτά αποτελούν μέρος των Εκπαιδευτικών Προγραμμάτων CREATES, τα οποία πραγματοποιούνται με τη στήριξη του The Hellenic Initiative, Καναδά και του Active Citizens Fund.

Κυριάκος Θεοχάρους
Εκπαιδευτικός Λειτουργός

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The “Saturday at the Museum” educational programmes of the Centre of Visual Arts & Research, were successfully completed once again this school year. We warmly thank the children, their families, and all our partners who filled the Museum with enthusiasm, imagination, and creativity.

At CVAR, we believe that learning about history helps us better understand the world around us and build a more optimistic future. We hope that the experiences we shared will instil in children the values of understanding, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence.

🍉

The Summer at CVAR 2026 educational programmes are starting soon!

These programmes are part of the CREATES Educational Programs, which are carried out with the support of The Hellenic Initiative, Canada, and the Active Citizens Fund.

Kyriakos Theocharous
Education Officer

👀 Sneak Peek: Caterina Cornaro returns to VeniceA lively scene depicting Caterina Cornaro's return to Venice after agree...
05/06/2026

👀 Sneak Peek: Caterina Cornaro returns to Venice

A lively scene depicting Caterina Cornaro's return to Venice after agreeing to abdicate the throne of Cyprus in favour of the Doge of Venice, Agostino Barbarigo. In this scene, Cornaro can be seen disembarking from the Bucentaur, the ceremonial barge of the Doges of Venice. Horns are being blown both left and right and a variety of people crowd the square.

Luigi Benfatto known as Alvise dal Friso (1551–1611) was an Italian painter of the late-Renaissance period. He was born at Verona, was the nephew and pupil of Paolo Veronese. He painted “Glory of the Saint” for the church of St. Nicholas and pictures of St. Marta for the Church of Santa Marta al Collegio Romano. He is also called Luigi dal Friso. A pupil of his was Maffeo Verona.

❗️You can find this 'Sneak Peek' and more on our website
https://bit.ly/45zDlSJ

👓 You can see this artwork up close, in CVAR’s 2nd-floor exhibition room.

🎨PNT-01133 > Circle of Veronese (1528-88). Attributed to Alvise dal Friso (1551–1611), Caterina Cornaro returns to Venice, Oil on Canvas, 90x377cm, 16th-17th century

Address

285 Ermou Street
Nicosia
1017

Opening Hours

Tuesday 09:30 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:30 - 17:00
Thursday 09:30 - 17:00
Friday 09:30 - 17:00
Saturday 09:30 - 17:00
Sunday 09:30 - 17:00

Telephone

+35722300994

Website

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