# Cultural and artistic developments in Turkey

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cultural-and-artistic-developments-in-turkey
> Updated: 2026-10-09T06:28:00.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

Reports from Turkey highlight various cultural and artistic developments across different regions. In Istanbul, the art community mourned the passing of Betül Ketenci, founder of Evrim Sanat Galerisi, who was noted for supporting young artists. In Izmir, the 150-year-old Tarihi Sayaç Atölyesi is being restored by the municipality to serve as a conservatory.

Individual efforts to preserve or promote traditional arts are also noted. In one instance, a retired manager transitioned from ebru water marbling as a hobby to a professional practice involving traditional bookbinding and student workshops. Similarly, in the Cizre district of Şırnak, a visual arts teacher has utilized charcoal sketching to document local artisans in trades such as silversmithing and carpentry, aiming to raise awareness for disappearing cultural heritage.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-09: Teacher in Cizre sketches traditional artisans to preserve heritage

Visual arts teacher Yafes Turhan captures disappearing traditional crafts in Cizre, Turkey, by creating and gifting candid charcoal portraits to local artisans.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/teacher-in-cizre-sketches-traditional-artisans-to-preserve-heritage

### 2026-09-27: Turkey reports cultural shifts and professional demands

Turkey sees diverse developments: the passing of art gallery founder Betül Ketenci, the restoration of Izmir's historic Sayaç Atölyesi into a conservatory, and calls for technical staff rights in Ankara.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hanife-cansever-teaches-ebru-art-and-notebook-making

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Cite as: Cultural and artistic developments in Turkey. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cultural-and-artistic-developments-in-turkey