James Michalopoulos: Rapt in Color

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TimultiaThe Alexandria Museum of Art is pleased to announce its upcoming exhibition, James Michalopoulos: Rapt in Color.  Captivated by the scenes of New Orleans and landscapes of France near his summer studio, James Michalopoulos evokes the spirit of the subject through beautifully layered, textured, and complex color compositions. The exhibition features original paintings from New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival posters, portraits, landscapes and architecture, all enveloped in color by this celebrated New Orleans-based artist.

 

James Michalopoulos is in love.  He is in love with paint and New Orleans and music.  More than that, he loves space and color and light.  James takes his pleasures in letting freedom and celebration rule.  The challenge and joys of invention drive his process.  This is thick paint pushed in the service of fun.  The ordinary is celebrated and illuminated as profound.  No formula here, but follow the lights.  This is art from the heart and thankful.

 

Michalopoulos is best known for his distinctive architectural renderings. His representations seem to have a life of their own.  There is a palpable energy and mystery in these highly original and much copied works.  Michalopoulos has earned a reputation for the unique musicality of his paintings. They are at once a mystical abstraction and a powerful evocation of the subjects’ spirit.

 

James enjoys an international collector base.  A favorite of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, James has been awarded the commission for the Jazz Fest poster six times.  He has the honor of being featured in museums and the homes of celebrities such as Aaron Neville, Emmy Lou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, John Goodman, Linda Hamilton, Sharon Stone and Bruce Willis.

 

michalopoulos-logoThe 27th September Competition presented by the Alexandria Museum of Art is a juried exhibition selected from national and international submissions highlighting contemporary art practices in all media. Featuring original art created within the past two years, artworks were selected for the exhibition from over 150 submissions by this year’s artist-juror, James Michalopoulos, and will be included in a full-color print catalogue.

 

Featured artists for the competition include: Joseph Appalucci, Marcia Babler, Michael Bauman and Kate Helms, Kim Bindursky, Stephen Burt, Debra Bynog, Ashley Hope Carlisle, Sean Catherine, Anne Chesnut, Jerry Cook, Leslie Elliottsmith, Donna Futrell, Jill Gewirtz, David Holcombe, Sarah Megan Jenkins, Ma Sing Ling, Leiana Loveday-Funck, Ashley Lynchard, Ben Madeska, MANDEM, Peter Milder, Clark Nunn, Barry Owen, James Parlin, Lynda A.N. Reyes, Barry Scanlan, Steve Schrepferman, Negin Sharifzadeh, Leslie Shiels, Richard Smukler, Ellen Soffer, Marilyn Wellan, Agata Wisniowska, Amanda Youngblood, and Kim Zarney. Total cash awards of $2,000 allocated to juror-designated award winners will be presented on September 5th.

 

Sponsored by Contributing Community Partners Jeff, Wendy, and William Carbo, The Alexandria/Pineville CVB, and the Louisiana Department of Tourism.  Special thanks to GAEDA for supporting AMoA exhibitions.