Scenes from Saturday night’s gallery exhibition of autistic artist Nicholas Kontaxis at the De Re Gallery on Melrose.
The 21-year-old painter’s story is one of perseverance, for Kontaxis was diagnosed with an extensive brain tumor when he was just 15 months old, which causes anywhere from 5-20 seizures a day. Despite his physical challenges, Kontaxis has found his life calling as an artist. In just the last three years, he has become a prolific painter, creating 90 complex pieces.
Among those who came out to support Kontaxis were Lisa Vanderpump, Shannon Beador, Tamra Judge, Tiffani Thiessen, Mary Hart, Kelly Rutherford, Lin Shaye and more.
18 paintings were sold with a portion of proceeds going to Autism Care and Treatment (ACT Today).
Nicholas Kontaxis & Lisa Vanderpump
Jeff Lewis
Kelly Rutherford with friends
Nicholas Kontaxis & Tiffani Thiessen
Jenni Pulos & Lin Shaye
Nicholas Kontaxis & Aunt Jenni Pulos
Real Housewife, Shannon Beador, Nicholas Kontaxis and Jeff Lewis
pictured at the top of the page: Nicholas Kontaxis, artist
photo credit: TAILI SONG ROTH
