05/09/2026
On Thursday, April 30, we had the privilege of hosting the St. Nicholas Argonauts at the Hellenic Museum of Michigan. Please enjoy reading about their experience with us!
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The St. Nicholas Argonauts Took to the Road for a visit to the Hellenic Museum of Michigan!
Thursday, 30 April turned out to be a beautiful afternoon as there were about 50 senior members of the St. Nicholas Argonauts who traveled either by bus or car down to the Hellenic Museum of Michigan to be inspired by the current traveling exhibit: “We Are Greek Warriors”: From the Greek Revolution to Today: The Power of Heroines of 1821 Lives in Every Woman!
Our Hellenic Museum is only a brief walk from the world-renowned Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) and is a proud member of the Detroit Cultural Center, a collection of over 12 outstanding museums, libraries, and cultural centers. We as a Hellenic community have a gem within the city of Detroit! The museum has entered a new era that is being guided by Executive Director Harry J. Gaggos and his professional team consisting of Creative Director and Exhibits, Evans Tasiopoulos, as well as Events and Facilities Manager, Matthew Tarmina.
The Hellenic Museum of Michigan offers a variety of visiting and permanent rotating exhibits to pique our interest in Hellenic history, culture, and society. This museum is not just for Hellenes but for all in the Metro Detroit area and beyond, to visit and view the contributions of the Hellenic peoples to Detroit, our nation, and the world.
The Argonauts, along with St. Nicholas’ spiritual leader and priest Father John Souza, was greeted by Harry, Evans, and Matthew, as they arrived at the museum and made their way to the Carriage House where we were introduced and offered a preview of the current visiting exhibit: Hellenic Footprints: Greek Stories in the Midwest, a set of pictures from various Midwestern Greek communities displayed on the walls! This exhibit was made possible from a joint effort of the Hellenic Museum of Michigan and the Greek Consulate General of Chicago.
The program began with Harry providing a brief introduction concerning the purpose and mission of the Hellenic Museum of Michigan with the hope of inspiring people to attend and support the museum’s mission and vision. Both visitation and financial support are critical for the museum to fully achieve its mission and vision.
Michael Alioto provided a brief history of the significance of the Greek Revolution and the women involved which emphasized the importance of both the Greek Revolution for world history and the often-forgotten role that women play in major historical events.
A delicious luncheon meal was prepared and served to all by Marchiori Catering, the caterer for the museum.
Next the Argonauts made their way into the museum to view the “We are the Greek Warriors” Exhibit which highlighted two groups of brave women, the Mesolongitisses and the Women of Souli (Souliotisses), as well as five courageous women of the revolution: Moscho Tzavela, Laskarina Bouboulina, Manto Mavrogenous, Domna Visvizi, and Rallou Karatza, all who were involved in fighting for Greek Independence.
The artist Romana Pintea, a contemporary illustrator from Romania contributed the seven paintings she created and produced for the exhibit, as well as an eighth painting for the museum, which she created live during her Saturday visit when the exhibit opened to the public. This painting will remain as part of the permanent collection of the Hellenic Museum of Michigan!
One must go and see these seven original paintings, as they will leave Detroit and continue to other parts of the country when the exhibit travels to its next location.
Fortunately, the museum has a gift shop, with themed gifts from the exhibition, so the Argonauts could purchase some items of their experience today which they shared with others as encouragement for visiting the exhibition and the museum.
Each exhibit will have items inspired by the display for purchase, so it is encouraged to get your very own, “We are Greek Warriors” T shirts/jerseys, coffee mugs, bookbags, posters, books, etc.
We all left with a strong feeling of pride, camaraderie and kinship towards these women and will share our experiences with everyone about the Hellenic Museum of Michigan!
Elate! (ελάτε)
SSt. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Troy, MichiganRRamona Pintea ArtistOOne Bean Marketing IncDDetroit Cultural Center Association
