Ekaterina Juskowski’s Insider Guide to Hydra
Photo by Eftihia Stefanidi
Ekaterina Juskowski’s work is immersive and thought-provoking. As the founder of the Art Residency at the Old Carpet Factory on the unique island of Hydra in Greece, she has cultivated a curatorial practice that merges contemporary art with cultural heritage.
Rooted in long-held artisanal practices and cultural traditions, her projects transform research into meaningful storytelling, honoring the island's cultural identity with sensitivity and depth.
Discover Ekaterina’s curated recommendations that highlight Hydra’s authentic essence.
MUSEUMS
Hydra’s museums may be modest in scale, yet their charm lies in intimate, curated treasures drawn from the personal collections of island families. Housed within historic mansions and civic buildings, each space tells stories of seafarers, revolutionaries, and spiritual devotion.
Mermaid decoration from History Archvies Museum of Hydra.
History Archives Museum of Hydra
Located at the island’s port, this museum provides an overview of Hydra’s maritime legacy and everyday life. The collection on display spans from intricately carved ship woodwork crafted by local shipbuilders to treasured personal belongings of sea captains and their families. The museum vividly illustrates Hydra’s pivotal role in the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829), while also highlighting the island’s continued influence on modern Greek politics - it has proudly produced five prime ministers and two presidents.
Lazaros Koundouriotis Historical Mansion
This 18th-century residence of influential statesman Lazaros Koundouriotis reflects the grandeur and civic legacy of Hydra’s elite. Portraits, period furnishings, and heirloom textiles trace the island’s naval prosperity and its role in shaping modern Greek history.
Traditional Hydriot dress detail from the Koundouriotis Museum collection.
Ecclesiastical Museum of Hydra
This museum is a hidden jewel of spiritual heritage. The tiny collection showcases Byzantine artifacts of exquisite craftsmanship, such as 1808 Gilde Epiphanos and icons painted on crab shells.
CONTEMPORARY ART & EXHIBITIONS
Each summer Hydra becomes a stage for world-class contemporary art presented as site-specific exhibitions. The island’s architecture and environment become part of the contemporary narrative.
Jeff Koons Sun detail from DESTE foundation.
Slaughterhouse / DESTE Foundation
Once a functioning slaughterhouse, this space now pulses with provocative conceptual energy. DESTE’s Hydra outpost invites artists to subvert tradition through daring reimagination.
Hydra School Projects
Bringing together museum art with emerging artists in thoughtful conversations this space transforms dormant classrooms of public schools into galleries.
Brice Marden marble Untitled 2022 at Hydra School Projects.
Isabella Ducrot.
Jannis Kounellis.
Wilhelmina’s Art Gallery
Gallerist and art curator Wilhelmina von Blumenthal opens her gallery on Hydra from June through October showcasing contemporary works by international artists, thoughtfully curated within a historic building on Mandraki Beach — once the Captain’s Mansion.
PRINT & MUSIC
These works evoke Hydra’s timelessness—its architecture, its atmosphere, and the invisible currents that shape its identity.
Hydra Book Club Journal
A curated anthology reflecting the island’s influence on literature and thought; each piece composed with the cadence of lapping waves and languid summer breezes.
Available at Koutsikou and Hydra Book Club.
The Warp of Time
A chronicle of the island’s history, told through the evolving story of the iconic 18th-century mansion known locally as the Old Carpet Factory. Once a symbol of the island’s prosperity and grandeur, the mansion now serves as a vibrant recording studio and artist residency under the ownership of producer Stephan Colloredo-Mansfeld.
Available at Old Carpet Factory, Turquoise, Koutsikou, Hydra Book Club, Gagosian, Hyper Hypo Athens.
Poems
This crowdsourced anthology captures the voices and reflections of passersby and poets alike. Edited and published by Hydra School Projects, the compilation stands as a tribute to spontaneous expression and Hydra’s creative spirit.
Hydra School Projects, Hydra Book Club
Hydra: Island in the Sound
A beautifully curated book paired with a 7” EP featuring six immersive soundscapes recorded across Hydra—each track inspired by a distinct local tradition. The accompanying book offers six intimate narratives drawn from Hydriot life, including the story of Pan, the legendary port figure, singing the island’s beloved anthem, Psaropoula.
Available at Turquoise, Hydra Book Club, Old Carpet Factory.
SHOPPING
Hydra Flag Bandana
A contemporary tribute to Hydra’s iconic flag, this bandana transforms island’s heritage into a beautiful fashion accessory. The design blends crisp white with vibrant crimson red and loulaki blue - the signature palette of Hydra. Silkscreen printed in India and designed by Turquoise.
Hydra Key Chain by Elena Votsi is an elegant rendering of the island in silver. Available exclusively at Elena Votsi boutique on Hydra.
Sculptural Art Jewelry by Dimitrios Antonitsis The jewelry collection by Dimitrios Antonitsis straddles the line between conceptual art and wearable design. Crafted from a signature alloy of aluminum and titanium, each piece is a reflection of the artist’s playful dialogue with both high and low culture. His use of precious baroque pearls embedded in molten metal forms results in what he describes as “quirky investigations of (sub)consciousness.”
Discover his creations alongside other local artisanal jewelry on display at Greco Gold Hydra.
Dana Aviv's pottery enchants with the graceful balance between art and function. Each piece is thoughtfully designed, blurring the lines between sculptural beauty and everyday utility. Dana works from a charming sun-drenched studio in a historic Hydra port house with a terrace that opens to the sweeping views of the island.
Studio visits are by appointment only at Christina Stone House.
Old Carpet Factory Bag This oversized tote is a faithful reproduction of the classic worker’s bag. Drawing inspiration from the original handmade design on Hydra, famously carried by Stephan Colloredo-Mansfeld since the 1980s, the bag is a tribute to Greece’s tradition.
Available at Turquoise, Taverna Ostria, and Old Carpet Factory.