In honor of this milestone event, and as a gift to our community, St. John’s has commissioned the work of artist/iconographer Rip Kastaris to create an icon to commemorate the centennial.
For $100, you can be a part of this community gift. Your name will be displayed alongside the icon that will hang prominently in our beautiful church in honor of your family or in memory of a loved one.
* PayPal purchasers will be contacted by St Johns Church office regarding how your name(s) will be displayed.
If you would prefer to contribute directly, please email the or contact the church office at (402) 345-7103. Thank you.
Below is a biography on Rip Kastaris.
Inspired by the classical and spiritual images of his Hellenic heritage, internationally recognized artist/iconographer Euripides “Rip” Kastaris creates works that have become significant to contemporary Hellenic culture. His award-winning commissions span a wide range of media, from the Olympic Games to Icons that adorn sacred sanctuaries. Rip has been profiled in the PBS documentary series “The Greek-Americans” in the United States and on the “Horizons” International satellite television show out of Athens. He has also distinguished himself in producing quality commercial art for print, film and the Internet.
Rip Kastaris’ successful 25-year artist/iconographer career began as a designer and commercial illustrator before he more fully pursued his passion for fine art. He is the first Hellenic-American to be chosen by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to commemorate US athletes. His company and studio, Petra Fine Art, Inc., is based out of St. Louis, Missouri. However, Rip’s works have been prominently displayed throughout the United States and abroad, including fine art galleries in Athens. Kastaris also serves as Creative Director for the Hellenic Cultural Foundation. His many distinctions include receiving the "Artist of the Year Award" from the prestigious Elios Society in 2003.
Rip’s contemporary fine art reflects his depth at understanding and translating themes from antiquity and Orthodox iconography. This includes his signature style of using gold leaf, jewel-toned color and aged textures in his paintings and sculptures. His original award-winning Olympic works include the “Fire and Ice” series (Olympic skiing, ice skating and ice hockey), the 2004 Athena series, and the epic Olympic mural “Kyklos – Circle of Glory” that is permanently displayed at the VIP Center in the Athens “Spyros Louis” Olympic Stadium. Kastaris’ mythological Gods and Goddesses, Byzantine Icons and Angels are also among his most popular pieces.
The son of a Greek Orthodox priest, Rip Kastaris immigrated to the United States as a young child with his family as part of his father’s mission. Rip graduated from Washington University in St. Louis as Valedictorian of the School of Fine Arts and has also served as an adjunct professor there. His formal education has been supplemented by visiting and researching many historical sites, museums and ancient Greek monasteries. Kastaris has three children, lives and works in the historic Holly Hills neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri.
For more information, see www.petrafineart.com
