HELLENIC HERITAGE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Euripides Kastaris

Renowned Iconographer, Artist, & Teacher

For his unparalleled achievements and excellence in the arts, his inspiring Byzantine Iconography and support of Orthodoxy

Euripides “Rip” Kastaris is a Greek American artist whose life and work are deeply intertwined with his heritage and upbringing. Born in Thessaloniki, Kastaris immigrated to the United States as part of his father’s mission as a Greek Orthodox Priest. Growing up in church, he was surrounded by Greek art and icons. These early experiences sparked Kastaris’s curiosity and love for art, and he later studied at Washington University School of Fine Arts.

After graduating, Kastaris began his career as a commercial artist, working in advertising. This work allowed him to develop his skills and gain a greater understanding of the business of art. He would go on to start his own company, Petra Fine Art and began getting national and international commissions.

One of the highlights of Kastaris’s career was the opportunity to create Olympic art for both Greece and the United States in four consecutive Olympiads. This experience was both challenging and rewarding, and it allowed Kastaris to contribute to a tradition that dates back to 776 BC. As part of these projects, he created a monumental mural called Kyklos, Circle of Glory, which is permanently installed at the 2004 Athens Olympic Stadium. This mural remains a testament to a world of Hellenes and Philhellenes united in spirit, and will forever be an important part of Kastaris’s artistic legacy. In addition to his professional work, Kastaris has always been committed to sharing his love of art with others. He has taught art and Greek history at various workshops, Greek camps, and schools, and has worked with Greek organizations to create art that promotes the values and virtues of Greek American culture. Passionate about helping others, he believes that art has the power to bring people together and inspire our greatest human traits.

Kastaris has also been inspired by the rich cultural traditions of St. Louis, where he has lived for many years. He has been particularly drawn to the blues music of the area, which has a long and storied history. Kastaris has created a large body of work that documents and celebrates the blues genre, capturing the energy and spirit of live performances in a series of live sketches and original paintings.

Yet, Kastaris’s deepest connection to his heritage has been his accomplishments in Byzantine Iconography. In recent years Kastaris was commissioned to produce 15,000 square feet of murals and patterns in the five domes of St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Cathedral in Parma, Ohio. These modern creations, painted in the traditional Byzantine style, will forever be part of Kastaris’s legacy and the history of this beloved historic church and community.

Overall, Euripides “Rip” Kastaris is an artist who has been deeply influenced by his Greek heritage and the cultural traditions of both Greece and the United States. His work reflects his personal journey as an artist, and it celebrates the rich history and diversity of the world around him. Whether he is creating art for the Olympic Games, documenting the blues music of St. Louis, or painting murals in the lofty domes of Byzantine cathedrals, he is dedicated to sharing his love of art with others and creating a more beautiful world through his work.

With gratitude for his unparalleled achievements and excellence in the arts, his inspiring Byzantine Iconography and support of Orthodoxy, we present Euripides Kastaris with the Hellenic Heritage Achievement Award this fourth day of March 2023, at our Forty-ninth Anniversary Dinner.