By restoring the 19th-century Ayşe–Seniha Mayda Mansion, Arkas Holding has brought a new art center to Izmir. Opening its doors with a permanent collection exhibition, Arkas Sanat Göztepe focuses on Turkish painting, making a strong contribution to the city’s cultural heritage. At the opening, Lucien Arkas remarked, “Existence only has meaning when it is shared,” adding, “I am very happy to have transformed all these buildings into art centers for Izmir.”
The Arkas Art Center in Alsancak, the Arkas Maritime History Center in Bornova, and Arkas Sanat Urla in Urla have now been joined by Göztepe on Izmir’s art route. Arkas Holding’s visionary approach to culture and the arts is building not only spaces but also a strong and lasting cultural identity through the art centers it has brought to life in different parts of the city. This time, the historic mansion where Turkey’s first female orthodontist Ayşe Mayda lived for many years—bearing traces of late Ottoman and early Republican architecture—has been meticulously restored and reopened under the name Arkas Sanat Göztepe. This special building, long embedded in Izmir’s memory, has now become one of the city’s new addresses for art and collective heritage.
From the Ayşe–Seniha Mayda Mansion to Arkas Sanat
The mansion in Izmir’s Göztepe district was commissioned by Governor Kâmil Pasha for his son between 1895 and 1907, and built by Raymond Charles Péré, the architect of the Izmir Clock Tower. Over time, the building served as an orphanage, an Italian school, and a middle school, before being purchased in 1950 by the family of Ayşe Mayda, Turkey’s first female orthodontist. She lived in the mansion with her sister Seniha and their dogs until the age of 105. Recently, the building was restored by Arkas Holding and reopened under the name Arkas Sanat Göztepe.
The mansion has become the fourth historic building meticulously restored and transformed into an art center by Arkas Holding. Thus, the sixth venue operating under Arkas Sanat has opened its doors to art lovers. With its permanent exhibition of Turkish painters, comprehensive learning programs, and public events, Arkas Sanat Göztepe makes a significant contribution to Izmir’s cultural fabric.
A Selection Shedding Light on Turkish Painting
The collection on display at Arkas Sanat Göztepe presents a rich selection drawn from the Arkas Collection, spanning from the late Ottoman period to the second half of the 20th century. Alongside works by prominent artists such as Hoca Ali Rıza, Halil Paşa, Nazmi Ziya, İbrahim Çallı, and Şevket Dağ, the collection also features pieces by leading figures of the modern era, including Nejad Devrim, Eren Eyüboğlu, Nurullah Berk, Nuri İyem, and Burhan Doğançay. Consisting of more than two hundred works, this selection marks the first time that the works of Turkish painters from the Arkas Collection are being presented to visitors in such a comprehensive way.
Lucien Arkas: “I Am Trying to Change Young People’s Perception of Art”
At the opening, Lucien Arkas, Chairman of the Board of Arkas Holding, emphasized that forty-five percent of the visitors to the art centers are young people, underlining that these centers are laying the foundations for a love of art.
“We are planting seeds in these centers. I believe that the seeds of a love of art that take root in young people’s souls will, in the future, enrich their cultural world and broaden their perspectives. I am trying to change perception. I am working for there to be an appreciation and understanding of art. Art has its own distinct value. If you show children and young people that art, they can come to love it. They cannot love something they have never seen. Even if 10 percent of young visitors come to love art, that alone is very significant.”
“Art Gains Value When Shared”
Lucien Arkas noted that the works in the Arkas Collection attract significant international attention, stressing that his greatest aim is to share this value with society and, in particular, to reach younger generations. “When Europeans see the works in our collection, they are amazed. Yes, great values require great effort and investment, but this is part of Arkas’s mission. I love sharing, and I want to continue pursuing this passion,” he said.
Believing that art can only gain meaning when it is made visible, Arkas also considers the choice of buildings that carry the spirit of the works to be just as important as the art itself. “Art is not merely exhibited within four walls; even a stone must be shown with its spirit. Historic buildings reflect the spirit of the works more profoundly,” he emphasized, pointing to spaces such as the Arkas Art Center in Alsancak, the Arkas Maritime History Museum in Bornova, and the 18th-century Arkas Mattheys Mansion as examples where Izmir’s historical memory is brought together with art.
In addition, Arkas drew attention to Arkas Sanat Urla, an example of contemporary architecture, noting that it is an award-winning building both in terms of architecture and content, and stated that with this vision they have realized a similar project in Alaçatı. “Our art centers bring not only the artworks but also the memory of the space to the audience. Each of these venues we have brought to Izmir is not just a place where art is seen, but a living space where it is felt,” he said, summarizing the multilayered value art adds to the city.
Müjde Unustası: “A Living Space Where Art Is Created”
Arkas Culture & Arts Director Müjde Unustası emphasized that the permanent collection exhibition to be hosted in the venue opens an important gateway to Turkish painting. Highlighting the richness of the Arkas Collection, Unustası noted that the exhibition offers a holistic perspective on the journey of Turkish painting from past to present: “The Ayşe & Seniha Mayda Mansion is a site of memory embedded in the social, cultural, and historical fabric of Izmir. The exhibition, spanning a wide period from the late Ottoman era to the Republic and the modernization process, engages in a multilayered dialogue not only with the artworks but also with this space. Just like the transformation of Turkish painting, this mansion too has assumed different identities over time and witnessed many changes. We hope this exhibition becomes a place of inspiration for everyone who wishes to discover art.”
A Social Pause Immersed in Art
Located at the entrance of the mansion, Monreve Patisserie offers visitors not only an aesthetic break but also a meeting space where they can share their time spent with art. Combining the French patisserie tradition with contemporary flavors, this venue creates a social atmosphere that complements the exhibition experience. Merve Arkas, Chair of the Board of Monreve Group, said: “We designed Monreve Patisserie as a place where visitors can share the time they spend with art, rest, and reconnect.”
Next Stop: Lucien Arkas Art Center in Bayraklı
Arkas Holding’s culture- and art-focused transformation projects continue to grow. Planned to open its doors in 2026 in the Mistral building in Izmir’s Bayraklı district, the Lucien Arkas Art Center is being realized in collaboration with Centre Pompidou, one of the world’s most prestigious art institutions.
Within the scope of this project—set to be a first in Turkey—world-renowned works selected from the modern and contemporary art collection of the Centre Pompidou will be presented to art lovers in Izmir.
Visitor Information
Arkas Sanat Göztepe – Ayşe & Seniha Mayda Mansion is open to visitors every day of the week except Monday, between 10:00 and 18:00.
