The first Russian-speaking émigré artists in Istanbul exhibition was a one-day event, but its success, and the interest it sparked amongst visitors, led to the formation of the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople and paved the way for other exhibitions at Mayak. The exhibition opened on Sunday, 9 October 1921, thanks primarily to Mayak’s director and American public figure Mr. Areson and B.A. Berestnev. It featured works by artists such as Konstantin Astafiev (Astori), Tatiana Alexinsky-Loukina, Vladimir Bobritsky (Bobri), Nikolai Saretzki, Wladimir Ivanoff, Dimitri Ismailovitch, Nikolai Peroff, Varvara Rode, Boleslav Cybis, Artemiev, Bodritsin, Roman Bilinski, Demidov, Koz’min, Sabaneeff, Fedoroff and others. According to journalists who covered the exhibition, the works were mostly small, with the genre paintings of Istanbul clearly standing out. In addition to the works of Varvara Rode (sketches of the Kariye Mosque frescoes), Dimitri Ismailovitch (sketches of Little Hagia Sophia and Davut Paşa Mosque), and a portrait of Maximilian Voloshin by Boleslav Cybis, sketches of theatrical costumes by Bodritsin, small works by Demidov, graphics by Sabaneeff, as well as drawings by Artemiev and Astafiev were mentioned. The event was attended by over 600 people, whose number included not only foreigners, but also local Turkish and Greek artists. Here is what the Russian press wrote: “Chances are after this exhibition they [the painters] will be remembered and at least the most talented of them will be given an opportunity to work seriously, not to get wet in the rain on the sidewalks, trying to gain some money by selling postcards or caricatures. The Russian Lighthouse (Mayak) kindly agreed to provide space for periodic exhibitions” (Anonymous, “Russkiye Hudojniki v Konstantinopole”, 1921). Due to the enormous success of the exhibition, the artists decided to get together (the Union of Russian Painters in Constantinople was created later) and hold similar one-day exhibitions every two weeks. It was decided to put on the second exhibition on 23 October: an organisational meeting was conducted by Wladimir Ivanoff, while Nikolai Vasilieff, Dimitri Ismailovitch and Nikolai Saretzki were appointed as jury members.