Arkas Holding is growing its support for culture and art with a new art center in Izmir. Located in Goztepe, this historic mansion was built in the 19th century by Grand Vizier Kamil Pasha and is best known as the home of its last residents, Ayse and Seniha Mayda. After a careful restoration, it has been brought back to life as Arkas Art Goztepe, welcoming art lovers. This center hosts a permanent collection focused on Turkish painting and is a fresh example of Arkas’s commitment to cultural heritage and the arts.
Arkas Holding’s sustainable investments in culture and art continue through new art centers brought to life in Izmir’s historic buildings. This registered heritage mansion, once the family home of Ayse Mayda the first female orthodontist in Türkiye and a fine example of late Ottoman to early Republic architecture, has been carefully restored and reopened as Arkas Art Goztepe. Inside the mansion’s garden, Monreve Patisserie offers art lovers a delightful spot to relax.
This mansion is the fourth historic building that Arkas Holding has restored and transformed into an art center. With this opening, Arkas Art welcomes its sixth venue to the art community. Arkas Art Goztepe enriches Izmir’s cultural scene with its permanent Turkish painters exhibition, educational programs, and public events.
Permanent Collection: A Selection Shedding Light on Turkish Painting
The collection at Arkas Art Goztepe features a carefully chosen selection from the Arkas Collection, spanning from the late Ottoman period to the second half of the 20th century. It brings together works by important figures in art history such as Hoca Ali Riza, Halil Pasa, Nazmi Ziya, Ibrahim Calli, and Sevket Dag. Alongside them, the collection also highlights pieces by leading modern artists like Nejad Devrim, Eren Eyuboglu, Nurullah Berk, Nuri Iyem, and Burhan Dogancay.
With this exhibition, the works of Turkish painters from the Arkas Collection are presented in a comprehensive way for the first time, featuring over two hundred paintings.
Lucien Arkas: “My Aim is to Change How Young People Perceive Art”
At the opening, Lucien Arkas, Chairman of Arkas Holding, said, “Forty-five percent of visitors to our art centers are young people. We’re planting seeds of art in our art centers. I truly believe that this love for art, once it takes root in their hearts, will shape their cultural world and outlook in the future. My aim is to change how people perceive art. I want there to be a true appreciation and understanding of its value. Art has a special importance. If you show children and young people art, they can learn to love it. You can’t love what you’ve never seen. Even if only 10 percent of young visitors come to love art, it would make a great difference.”
Arkas’s Art Philosophy
Arkas said, “When Europeans see the works we have in the Arkas Collection, they are surprised. Great values require great effort and investment, but this is Arkas’s mission. I’m very happy to share the treasures we own, especially with young people. I love sharing, and I plan to continue this passion in the future.”
“The True Value of Art Comes from Sharing”
Arkas emphasized that art becomes more meaningful when shared and spoke about the importance of showcasing artworks in the right settings. He said, “I have a deep appreciation for old buildings with rich history and beautiful architecture. You can build four concrete walls, but the space won’t capture the spirit of the art inside. Even a single stone should express its soul. Historic mansions reflect the essence of the artworks wonderfully. The Arkas Art Center in Alsancak was built in the 1800s, and the Bornova Maritime Museum also date backs to the same period. The Arkas Mattheys Mansion in Bornova is even older, constructed in the 1700s. Alongside these, in newer venues like Arkas Art Urla, we strive to keep the spirit of the artworks alive. Our museum in Urla has received awards, and with the same care, we created a similar space in Alacati. I’m truly proud to contribute these buildings as cultural landmarks to Izmir’s art scene.”
“An Inspiring Stop for Those Who Want to Discover Art”
Mujde Unustasi, Director of Arkas Art Centers, highlighted that the permanent collection exhibition at the venue opens an important door to Turkish painting. Emphasizing the richness of the Arkas Collection, Unustasi explained that the exhibition offers a comprehensive view of Turkish painting’s journey from past to present. She said, “The Ayse & Seniha Mayda Mansion is a memory space woven into Izmir’s social, cultural, and historical fabric. The exhibition, covering a wide period from the late Ottoman era to the Republic and modernization process, creates a multi-layered dialogue not only with the artworks but also with the building itself. Just like the transformation of Turkish painting, this mansion has gained different identities over time and witnessed many changes. We hope this exhibition will become an inspiring stop for everyone who wants to discover art.”
Monreve Patisserie: A Social Space Enhancing the Art Experience
Located at the entrance of the Ayse & Seniha Mayda Mansion in Arkas Art Goztepe, Monreve Patisserie is more than just a place to eat and drink—it serves as a social hub designed for exhibition visitors. Blending French pastry traditions with contemporary flavors, the venue offers a welcoming space that completes the art lover’s experience.
Merve Arkas, Chairperson of Monreve Group, said, “We designed Monreve Patisserie as a meeting place where visitors can share their time with art, relax, and reconnect. At Monreve, we organize events to introduce the new generation to art, and we will continue these activities at the Ayse Mayda Mansion.”
A Creative Space Where Art Comes to Life
Arkas Art Goztepe is designed not just as a permanent exhibition space, but as a living place that includes workshops for children and adults, a shop, and garden areas. It embraces the idea that art is not only to be seen but also to be made. The restoration, led by architect Seda Ozen, preserved the building’s architectural heritage while updating it to meet modern exhibition standards. With the entrance building, event spaces, and new landscaping, the center has gained a multifunctional identity as a vibrant cultural hub.
Next Stop: Lucien Arkas Art Center in Bayrakli, in Collaboration with Centre Pompidou
Arkas Holding’s culture and art-focused transformations continue. The next art center, planned to open in 2026, will be located in the Mistral building in Bayrakli, Izmir. The Lucien Arkas Art Center, developed in partnership with Centre Pompidou, is designed to be Türkiye’s first space showcasing world-famous modern and contemporary artworks from the Centre Pompidou collection.
Arkas Art Goztepe Ayse & Seniha Mayda Mansion is open to visitors everyday from 10 AM to 6 PM, closed on Mondays.