Michalopoulos in Mississippi
April 8 – July 20, 2025
Christian & Foil Galleries
Over the last five years, painter and sculptor James Michalopoulos has been exploring Southern homes and landscapes, inspired by his visits to Laurel, Natchez, and Magnolia. This series explores the artist’s love affair with the South through his iconic perspective and master color work. Celebrating vernacular architecture, verdant fauna, and vintage cars, this exhibit leaves one with an immersive experience of the wonder and beauty of Mississippi and the modern South.
Michalopoulos was born in 1951 in Pennsylvania to a family of architects and painters. In 1981, he moved to New Orleans, drawn to the last bastion of hippie bohemian culture, and the city quickly became his muse. He developed a unique style, capturing the musicality and energy of its Creole cottages and shotgun houses in thick impasto paint. His work established him as the most influential living artist in the region. Michalopoulos' painting practice explores themes including the natural world, human psyche, vehicles, animals, and New Orleans cemeteries. Additionally, he founded Celebration Distillation, established North Robertson Artist Studios, contributed to Covington’s historic downtown redevelopment, and will open the artist-designed Hotel Pompadour. As steward of the Michalopoulos Foundation, he supports expressive architecture and affordable housing for emerging artists, remaining a passionate preservationist and philanthropist. Michalopoulos continues to inspire and shape the art community with his innovative contributions and dedication.
