Biography:
Lee James Pantas, originally from Greenwich, Connecticut, has lived in Fairview, North Carolina since 1989. He has a Master’s degree in Ecology from the University of Vermont, and has worked as a research scientist, military officer, lecturer, parapsychologist, marketing director, realtor, painter and illustrator in Vermont, Georgia, Korea, Brazil, Colorado, Connecticut and North Carolina. In 1978 he started the a soup kitchen "New Covenant House" for homeless persons in Stamford, CT. which has since grown into a major major multi-faceted social services center for the poor, now known as New Covenant Center. He is the author and illustrator of two books, “The Ultimate Guide to Asheville & the Western North Carolina Mountains” and “Wild & Furry Animals of the Southern Appalachian Mountains”. Mr. Pantas is also known for his elegant, highly detailed pen & ink drawings, and imaginative visionary and fantasy paintings. His work has been exhibited in New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., and locally in Blue Spiral 1, Broadway Arts and Seven Sisters Gallery, among others, and is found in many private and public collections. He has recently completed a ten-year project of fantasy coral reef paintings (Liza’s Reef) aimed at raising awareness of the environmental issues facing our oceans. He is also well known as a track & field coach for AC Reynolds HS in Asheville NC and as one of the developers of the Blue Ridge Classic, one of the largest high school track and field meets in America.

Painting Solo & Group Exhibitions:

2011
Center for Ocean Awareness, Hendersonville NC
Whittington Exhibition, Asheville NC
Kress Emporium, Asheville NC
Art on Main -Hendersonville NC

2010
Grace Centre 10th Annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition, Asheville NC
Art in the Park -Asheville NC
EAST -Fairview NC
Apple Festival -Hendersonville NC
Lazy Daze -Cary NC
Bele Chere -Asheville NC

1995-2008
Apple Festival -Hendersonville NC
Bele Chere (1995 & 1998) -Asheville NC
Black Mountain Arts & Crafts Festival (1998-2003) -Black Mountain NC

1992
Blue Spiral Gallery –Asheville NC “Images of Faith”
Blue Spiral Gallery –Asheville NC “ Mask II”

1991
Broadway Arts Building Gallery–Asheville NC
Seven Sisters Gallery –Black Mountain NC

1990
Seven Sisters Gallery –Black Mountain NC

1989
Grace Harkin Gallery –New York NY “East Village Express”
Grace Harkin Gallery –New York NY “East Soho Art”
Grace Harkin Gallery –New York NY “Legends Now”
Berkeley Manor Gallery –Greenwich CT
Grace Harkin Gallery –New York NY “Critics, Collectors, Cache”

1988
Grace Harkin Gallery –New York NY “Christmas Show”
Hurlbutt Gallery, Bruce Museum –Greenwich CT
Mystic Aquarium Exhibition –Mystic CT
Greenwich Art Gallery –Greenwich CT

1987
Paul IV Institute For The Arts –Washington DC “The Life Exhibit”
Mead School Gallery –Greenwich CT “A Professional Art Exhibit”
Albertus Magnus College Gallery –New Haven CT “2nd Annual National Juried Exhibition”
Westfield Gallery –Westfield NJ “Festival of Religious Art”

1986
Regina Laudis Gallery, Bethlehem CT
Olin Corporation –Stamford CT
Hurlbutt Gallery, Bruce Museum –Greenwich CT
Passaic County Community College Gallery –Paterson NJ
Albertus Magnus College Gallery –New Haven CT “1st Annual National Juried Exhibition”
Westfield Gallery –Westfield NJ “Festival of Religious Art”

1985
Horizon Gallery –Houston TX
Champion International Corporation Gallery –Stamford CT
New Canaan Gallery –New Canaan CT
Illuminarium-Isis Gallery –San Francisco CA
Phillips-Cowan Gallery –Houston TX
Johnson NASA Space Center Gallery –Houston TX
Mamaroneck Artists Guild –White Plains NY
Zenith Gallery –Washington DC

1984
Saint Catherine of Sienna Gallery –Greenwich CT
Portfolio Gallery –Port Chester NY
Lincoln Center –New York NY “Fordham University Exhibit of Contemporary Spiritual Art”
GTE Corporation –Stamford CT
New Canaan Gallery –New Canaan CT
Brooklyn College Gallery –Brooklyn NY “Contemporary Religious Art”

1983
Sound Shore Gallery –Port Chester NY
Perrot Memorial Library Gallery –Old Greenwich CT