George Art Gianakopoulos was born into a large Greek family in 1975 in Springfield, Ohio. He’s the youngest of three brothers and many cousins.  Struggles in school because of learning disabilities led to his studies of visual art, specifically, drawing, painting and pottery. After graduating from Avon Old Farms School, in 1994, he made the adventurous move to Fairbanks, Alaska to attend the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF), where he received his BFA in fine arts.   During his time at UAF, he began performing in music groups on the upright bass and continues to play often with a large variety of bands.

For more than 20 years, George was making bright, colorful, abstract paintings.  He worked with acrylic, oil and mixed media on canvas. These paintings reflect his experiences living in Alaska and being part of the Alaska music scene and life living with his young family on a  vegetable, flower and fiber farm (Calypso Farm & Ecology Center).

George's visual art focus has shifted to creating “Art Quilts”. For over 10 years now, he has been learning sewing and quilting and combining these new skills with his past experience as a fine artist. His initial inspiration to begin quilting, came after discovering the quilters of Geez bend. His art quilts are created, primarily of used and recycled clothing.

George currently lives in Ester, AK with his wife and two children and continues to make fine art and preform music.