seen on the scene
The Charalampous Collection:
An International Art Collection
By: Heidi Powell-Prera
I am here at the Czech Center Museum in Houston, Texas, with Dr. Kanel-
los Charalampous, retired psychiatrist living in Houston. Since the 1960s, Dr.
Charalampous, besides being a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry, is
also a renowned writer, researcher, and teacher. His work afforded him the
opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and other countries,
which spurred his interest in the art of the region. With more than 1,700
pieces in his collection, Dr. Charalampous is finding joy in sharing his collec-
tion with the public. The Charalampous Collection was created as a founda-
tion to support and catalogue this vast collection with a goal of showcasing
these incredible pieces of art collected from at least 50 countries.
This is Dr. Charalampous’s first exhibit, which is being sponsored by the
Czech Consul, The Greek Consul, and the Hellenic Cultural Center and
which features art from the Caribbean to Mexico and Texas. Today, Dr. Ch-
aralampous, has welcomed us for a preview of is collection and a conversation.
He is gracious, friendly, and delighted to explain what he has done and his
passion for collecting.
Heidi: It is very interesting that you got to go to all these wonderful places
on such a regular basis. Did you start when you were really young?
Dr. Charalampous: On a trip in 1960, I discovered the island of Hispan-
14 iF Magazine | February 2018