Kostas Kapetanakis was born in Zaros, Crete. He first studied at the Pedagogical Academy before studying Political Science and Public Administration at the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. He also pursued independent studies in painting and studied for a year at the Athens School of Fine Arts (1976 – 78). He is a painter, sculptor and engraver and since 1982 he has presented his works in solo and group exhibitions.

In 1988, together with 40 other artists from Heraklion, he founded the “Movement of Visual Artists of Heraklion” and was elected its president. In 1989, he organized an intervention/happening with other artists of the Movement against “Plastic Consumption”. He also worked in Experimental Primary Schools (former Model Schools of the Pedagogical Academy) where he founded the Art Workshop of the Academy, he taught art at the Schools of Pilot Applications of New Programs, he gave a series of exemplary teachings in Training Schools for Primary and Secondary Educators (Σ.Ε.Λ.Δ.Ε. – Σ.Ε.Λ.Μ.Ε) and at Regional Training Centres (Π.Ε.Κ.) where he included drawing, painting, theatrical game, puppetry and collage, he writes books and, among others, from 1986 to 1996, he worked in the Prefecture of Heraklion in charge of culture and education of people facing social exclusion.