Contact: Public Relations
(863) 680-4118

Florida Southern College presents
exhibition of artist Phil Joanou

LAKELAND, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2001) - Florida Southern College will present the art of Phil Joanou in the Melvin Art Gallery beginning Jan. 10 and running through Feb. 1. An evening finale will take place Jan. 31 from 7 to 9 p.m., which Joanou will travel from his home in Los Angeles to attend. The artist will also participate in critiques of upper level painting and graphic design classes on Jan. 31.

Joanou describes his painting style as a mixture of the elements of classical and contemporary art. Gerrit Henry, contributing editor for "Art News," called Joanou's work "contemporary apocalyptic," with subject matters ranging from wars, politics, and genetics to celebrity, music, and movies.

Joanou studied fine arts at the University of Arizona and later earned his master of fine arts degree in painting from the New York Academy of Art in 1996.

Dr. James Rogers, art department chair, has planned an evening of art in conjunction with the Jan. 31 finale. The evening will include dinner at the Antiquarian Restaurant; tickets to the Festival of Fine Arts performance of Robert MacDonald and his daughter, Sonia; and a visit to the gallery, where Joanou will discuss his work. The cost for the evening is $49. For tickets and further information, please contact the art department at 680-4220.

The Melvin Art Gallery is open weekdays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and before and during intermissions of most performances of the FSC Fine Arts Series.

About Florida Southern College
Florida Southern is a four-year, private, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The college offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and a master of business administration degree accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Located in Lakeland, Fla., the college is home to the largest, single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.

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