JOHN NICK PAPPAS was a prolific Sculptor who won numerous prizes and awards, including the prestigious Rome Prize Fellowship in Sculpture and the Wayne State University Arts Achievement Award.  He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the Riverside Arts Foundation, Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, and a member of the State Commission for Art in Public Places. While on faculty at Eastern Michigan University, John was invited to exhibit in the prestigious Chelsea Harbour Sculpture Show, in London, England. He was one of an exclusive group of Sculptors invited to meet Queen Elizabeth II. John began making sculpture as a child, and was greatly encouraged by one of his teachers when he was in 8th grade. She asked who could make busts of Caesar and Socrates, and he shot up his hand and completed the artwork. His teacher was amazed by his talent and encouraged him to continue. A few years later, opening a large, hardcover book with images by Rodin and Michelangelo in the Art Room at the main Detroit Public Library, changed his life forever. In that moment, seeing stunning works by the Masters in those books, John was inspired to become a Sculptor. He exhibited his work widely in Europe and the United States, and created many commissioned pieces for corporations, health care organizations, community groups and private individuals.  Ford Motor Company, Daimler Chrysler Corporation, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, University of Michigan Medical Center, Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, among many others, have significant pieces of his work in their collections. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Art from Wayne State University in Detroit, and was a Professor of Sculpture and Drawing at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, for more than 40 years. After retiring from teaching, John continued to sculpt and create commissioned work, five days a week in his Depot Town Studio in Ypsilanti.

Following the death of his beloved wife Mary, John was planning to have a Show in her honor. Sadly, John passed away less than a year and a half after Mary, so he was not able to realize his plan. John and Mary’s adult children; Anna, Nick, Andy and Catherine, are delighted to bring together this retrospective Show of their Dad’s life’s work, at Galerie Camile. Fulfilling their Father’s wishes, this Show is in honor of their Mom. The Show opens at 5:00 pm on Friday, July 10th, which happens to be their Mom’s Birthday, and runs through July 25th.