Join us in a celebration of the work of distinguished artist, Michael Karibian, who contributed greatly to the fabric of our local arts community. Beloved and past member of Spectrum Art Gallery, Karibian was featured in exhibitions not only at Spectrum Art Gallery, but also the Fresno Art Museum, and Fig Tree Gallery. Although he has passed on, his amazing work continues to inspire with this retrospective exhibition featuring some of the highlights of his versatile career.

During his tour in Vietnam in 1969 he served as photographer for “Stars and Stripes.” With extensive Airforce training, he tackled everything from photographing generals shaking hands, troop movements in the field, to Agent Orange deployment and its results. While in Saigon, his camera turned to life in the streets and the souls he encountered. He came away with a mindset even more devoted to peace and tolerance. Coming from a heritage of those who escaped genocide, he listened, empathized, and later recorded Armenian elders’ stories accounting the horrors leading to the diaspora that enabled his generation precious opportunities to thrive in peace.

After military service with both a BA and MFA, he pursued a long and successful career as a professional photographer. To name a few, his clients ranged from California State University, Fresno, UC Merced, the Fresno Art Museum, major regional hospitals, The Big Fresno Fair, California Agricultural Industry, the Honor Flight for Veterans traveling to Washington D.C., to portraits of dignitaries, musicians, artists and their works.

As an avocation, he took great joy in listening and creating music with guitar and mandolin. Words and music were often integrated with his visuals in such ways that streams of consciousness could flow. Sketches, freeform poetry, memoirs, and Illustrated notebooks were developed as well as some very limited editions of custom-made books.

The visitors to this exhibition will have the opportunity to experience a cross-section of Michael Karibian’s unique life in photography through this collection of his finely crafted original artworks.

Join Steve Dzerigian’s Friday Photography Live on July 19th at 7PM for Techniques of Traditional Darkroom Masters.