Post war Paris was depressing to Bel-Jon.  After a brief term at the L’Ecole
du Louvre and L’Ecole des Beaux Artes, Bel-Jon approached the
American Embassy.  The Greek quota was full, but Bel-Jon's "Special de
Service" passport allowed him to bypass the post war quotas.

He sailed to the United States from France on the S.S. Desirade on April
17, 1946 armed with letters of introduction to numerous schools and
museums.  He was joined on the voyage by his cousin Dr. George
Petropoulos and the two handsome Greeks danced the nights away on
the ship.  Bel-Jon was the first Greek artist to arrive in the United States
after the war.  
NIKOS BEL-JON - HIS LIFE AND ART