Artist Nondas Galiotzakis, surrounded by some of his works of art that are on display in a popup gallery he installed at the former TD Bank building on Main Street. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

NASHUA – Having studied at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Nashua-based artist Nondas Galiotzakis would later spend many evenings there while serving in the Boston office of the Greek Consulate General.

A carpenter by trade, Galiotzakis rapidly became an emerging artist with wide appeal, his specialty being bold, eye-catching colors on unusually large canvasses that blend well with smaller, average-size works when installed together.

Just such an exhibition is now on display in downtown Nashua as a 30-day “popup gallery” that Galiotzakis installed over the course of six days, just in time for its opening reception last Sunday.

The exhibit, within the former TD Bank building at 191 Main St., is open every day from noon to 8 p.m. through Sept. 15. There is no admission fee.

Galiotzakis, a native of Lasithi Province, in the eastern part of the Greek island of Crete, came to America in 1989 “to spread his creative wings,” according to Jim Theos, a retired banker who did much of the legwork to secure the bank building for the exhibit.

Artist Nondas Galiotzakis in front of the former TD Bank building on Main Street, where he is hosting a 30-day popup exhibit of more than 200 works of art. (Courtesy photo)

Upon becoming an American citizen in 1995, Galiotzakis developed master carpentry skills while studying at the MFA in Boston, leading to what Theos called his “evolution as a futurist and spacial Renaissance man.”

Galiotzakis came to Nashua about seven years ago, and in 2015 opened a workshop and creative space in a multi-unit building on East Hollis Street.

At last Sunday’s opening, Galiotzakis paused in between greeting guests to gaze at the giant exhibit, perhaps to make sure every piece of art was where it should be.

“It’s been exhausting … I’m really tired right now,” he confided in a visitor, who assured him he should be in that condition after spending six long days and evenings installing the exhibit.

The mere size of some of his artwork required a lot more work than simply threading wiring through eyelets and hanging the artwork on display panels or walls.

A portrait of one of Nondas Galiotzakis's two daughters is among the first works of art that greet visitors to his popup gallery exhibit at the former TD Bank building on Main Street. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

That’s where Galiotzakis’s carpentry skills came in handy. A quick glance “back stage” revealed a towering framework made of 2x4s onto which the larger canvasses were secured for support.

Theos was quick to express his and Galiotzakis’s gratitude to Nashua real estate entrepreneur Rob Parsons, who bought the former bank two years ago.

“Rob and his partners have joined us unselfishly in providing a springboard to Nonda,” Theos said, using Galiotzakis’s nickname.

Theos said he and Galiotzakis have been speaking with representatives of the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester about a possible future exhibit.

Galiotzakis, meanwhile, said one of his goals is to bring a high-end gallery or museum to his adopted city.

Some of the artwork installed in the former TD Bank building on Main Street dwarf the creator, artist Nondas Galiotzakis, who hosted an opening reception Sunday for the exhibit, which will be on display through Sept. 15. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

“I want to put a Museum of Fine Arts like Boston’s in Nashua,” he said. “I want to do something good for the city, for the community.”

•••

IF YOU GO

WHAT

A popup gallery featuring the work of Nashua-based Greek-American artist is open in downtown Nashua.

Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Among the large, colorful works of art created by Greek-born Nashua artist Nondas Galiotzakis on display in the former TD Bank building is this illustration of the letters and numbers in the Greek alphabet. The popup gallery is open through Sept. 15. (Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

WHEN

Open 7 days a week from noon to 8 p.m.

through Sept. 15

WHERE

Former TD Bank, 191 Main St., Nashua

COST

No admission

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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