Kegham Tazian

Kegham Tazian is an award-winning sculptor and painter. The Armenian-born artist has gained notoriety for the diversity of his work and the variety of media exemplified in his pieces. A blend of modernism, realism and abstraction are commonly depicted in his paintings and sculptures.

His artwork has been represented in more than 40 solo exhibitions and more than 75 group exhibitions throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. His work adorns the entrances and halls of major corporations, universities and municipalities, including Siemens Corporation, Huntington Bank, Wayne State University and the city halls of Farmington and Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Tazian is the recipient of several prestigious awards and honors, including the International Artists in Watercolor Award in London, England. In 1995 he was named the Farmington Area Arts Commission Artist-in-Residence. Tazian’s paintings and sculptures have also appeared in books and national publications such as Art News and American Artist. Tazian’s artwork can be found in numerous private collections worldwide. Most recently, Tazian’s sculpture was featured at the prestigious ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Tazian is Professor Emeritus at Oakland Community College in Farmington Hills. He began his teaching career at OCC in 1967, serving as Chairman of the Art Department for six years and as Director of the Smith Theatre Art Gallery for over 25 years. He retired from teaching in 2014. During his 37 years at OCC, Tazian served the College with great distinction and pride.

In 2010, Tazian and his three children, Taline, Vahe, and Vatche, established the Kegham Tazian Endowed Art Scholarship to promote the pursuit of fine arts at OCC. With the creation of this scholarship, Tazian seeks to reward those students who have demonstrated a dedication to the arts and academic excellence, values he long promoted during his tenure at OCC.