Internationally recognized artist Euripides Kastaris will show and sell his art at the Tulsa Greek Festival. Courtesy
For the first time, an artist will attend the Tulsa Greek Festival to personally show and sell his art.
The artist is Euripides "Rip" Kastaris, an internationally recognized Greek-American artist whose work focuses on Greek culture, Greek Orthodox iconography and the Olympic movement.
Kastaris is from St. Louis, and festival organizers have wanted to have him display his art here for some time, said Demetrius Bereolos.
Kastaris, who is well-known for his work with gold leaf, recently came to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to do a presentation on Orthodox iconography, Bereolos said.
"We asked whether he could come back for the festival, and the timing was right," Bereolos said. "We are really excited to have him here. He is internationally known for his art."
The rock star Sting, the Olympic committees of both the United States and Greece, and various other prestigious individuals and organizations have commissioned Kastaris to create original paintings, electronic media presentations and published prints. His company and studio, Petra Fine Art Inc., is in the historic Holly Hills neighborhood of St. Louis.
His epic mural "Kyklos - Circle of Glory" is permanently displayed in the Athens Olympic Stadium.
Kastaris has been profiled in the PBS documentary series "The Greek-Americans." He has received the prestigious Artist of the Year Award from the Elios Society in San Francisco.
Kastaris' successful 25-year 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 to commemorate U.S. athletes. Kastaris has also served as creative director for the Hellenic Cultural Foundation since 1999.
Kastaris' signature style uses gold leaf, jewel-toned color and aged textures for his paintings and sculptures.
New works include a series called "Art Fresco," inspired by ancient black figures on ceramics, and "Island Pascha," his newest impressions inspired by Greek Island Churches in landscapes during the wildflower season at Easter.
The son of a Greek Orthodox priest, Kastaris immigrated to the United States as child with his family as part of his father's mission.
Kastaris graduated from the School of Fine Arts at Washington University in St. Louis as valedictorian, and he has also served as an adjunct professor there.
For more information go to
tulsaworld.com/greekart
Nicole Marshall Middleton 918-581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Artist showcase added to festival
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