Cyprus Students Prize

Louli Michaelidou works at the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Culture (visual arts sector). She has a background in psychology and the social sciences (Indiana State University, London School of Economics) and holds a PhD in Curating Contemporary Art (Royal College of Art). Her independent research and publications draw on social anthropology, postcolonial theory and art criticism, to consider issues of art, politics and modernity in post-independence Cyprus. Among others, she has co-curated and produced survey and contemporary art shows in Cyprus and abroad and has been Commissioner for Cyprus at the Venice Biennale of Art since 2003.

Efi Pilava is a Primary School Teacher specializing in Visual Arts and a Museum Education Advisor. She oversees educational programs for children at galleries and museums.

She currently serves as the President of the Art Group POED Nicosia and, since 2024, has been elected Secretary of the Nicosia School Board. Her research interests include Museum Education, Visual Arts pedagogy, collaborations with artists, Educational Policy, and Cultural Diplomacy. She has participated in European education programs and has presented her art initiatives for children at international conferences.

Howard Bilton, a British-born entrepreneur and barrister, has made a multifaceted impact on tax advisory services, philanthropy, and the wine industry in Portugal and beyond. His ventures reflect a unique blend of business acumen and social responsibility, creating a lasting legacy in each sector he touches. 

Tax

As the chairman and founder of The Sovereign Group, Bilton has significantly influenced the tax landscape, particularly for expatriates and international businesses. The Group provides comprehensive tax planning and wealth management services, which help clients navigate complex tax systems. By doing so, it supports individuals and companies to optimize their tax positions within the legal framework, fostering an environment that is conducive to foreign investment and economic growth in Portugal. 

Charity

In the realm of charity, Bilton’s establishment of The Sovereign Art Foundation has made a notable impact on the local and international art scenes. The foundation not only recognizes and supports artists through awards and exhibitions but also raises substantial funds for charitable causes. A significant portion of its work is dedicated to using art as a medium for educational and healing purposes, particularly for disadvantaged children. Through these initiatives, Bilton has harnessed the power of art to make a tangible difference in the lives of many, providing both cultural enrichment and social support. 

 Wine

With Howard’s Folly, Bilton has ventured into the wine industry, intertwining the worlds of oenology and art. The winery is known for producing high-quality wines that reflect the rich terroir of Portugal, contributing to the country’s reputation as a producer of fine wines. Beyond the production, Howard’s Folly serves as a cultural destination, hosting art exhibitions and events that attract visitors from around the world. This unique concept not only promotes Portuguese wine but also elevates the cultural experience of wine tasting, setting a precedent for how wineries can engage with the arts. 

Overall Impact

Howard Bilton’s impact in the fields of tax, charity, and wine is characterized by a forward-thinking approach that leverages professional expertise to foster cultural and social development. By integrating his business endeavors with philanthropic goals, Bilton has shown that commercial success can go hand-in-hand with making a positive social contribution. His efforts have provided a model for sustainable development, showcasing how individual dedication to professional excellence and social responsibility can lead to broad and beneficial societal impacts. 

Nicos Synnos is an Associate Professor at the Department of Fine Arts, at the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts of the Cyprus University of Technology. He holds the MA and PgDip titles in Visual Communication with specializations in Animation and Cartoon Imagery from Birmingham City University (UK) and a BA (Hons) in Visual Communication with specialization in Graphic Communication from the University of Wolverhampton (UK) and the California State University in Long Beach (USA). He has worked for several years on animation, TV and Internet animation productions in New York, London and Cyprus. He participated and earned awards at international animation and film festivals, and video art exhibitions. He founded the experimental animation workshop “toonachunks” in Limassol, and he is a founding member and member of the organizational and artistic committee of Animafest International, founding member of ASIFA Cyprus, founding member of NeMe and president of the Limassol Film Club. He has been teaching animation, photography and design in Cypriot higher education since 2001. His research interests focuses on experimental cinema with emphasis on animation, filmic time and space, and frame by frame animation applications, and the production of experimental moving images in virtual spaces and new media.