Peter J. Lupori

• 

Lupori, Peter J. of Mpls, award-winning artist and beloved professor emeritus, died suddenly of natural causes on December 16, 2014 at the age of 96. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Catherine Pribyl Lupori who died in October 2014. He was also preceded in death by his five sisters. Peter is survived by his son, John (Laura) de Thier-Lupori; daughter, Maria (Doug McNurlin) Kaiser; three grandchildren (Jamie Lynn Lupori, Brandon Lupori and Darien Kaiser) and 1 great-granddaughter (Gianna Catherine Lupori). Peter was born in Pittsburgh in 1918. He earned a bachelor of fine arts from Carnegie Mellon University, served in the U.S. Army during WWII and then received his Master's in Art Education from the University of MN. Lupori joined St. Catherine University's Art faculty in 1947. He met Catherine Pribyl, English professor at St Kate's, and they married in 1958. He became a full professor and artist-in-residence in 1961. He taught studio art to thousands of students in his 45 years there. He was a compassionate and encouraging art professor, who inspired his students to engage the creative process. He designed the St. Catherine Medal that has been presented to graduates at Commencement since 1955. Lupori retired with the designation of professor emeritus in 1992. Lupori was a prolific artist in the media of sculpture, pottery, watercolor and ink drawings. His work was featured at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Biennial in 1950, the Walker Art Center and Associated Arts of Pittsburgh, and other galleries across the country. His sacred bronze sculptures can be found at local institutions such as St Catherine University, Fairview-Southdale Hospital, the Ninth Federal Reserve Bank of Mpls, the prayer grotto on the University of St Thomas' South campus, the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Mpls., Holy Childhood Church, St. Joan of Arc, Westminster Presbyterian and Mayflower Congregational Church. In his retirement, Peter continued to serve the St Catherine community in the development office performing donor outreach. He donated designs for Christmas ornaments to the Alumnae Relations Department for 20 years. He shared his zest for life and passion for art with students young and old at the Northern Clay Center, where he taught for 20+ years, most recently in the Spring of 2014. Peter was named to St Catherine University's Centennial 100, which honored those who shaped the first 100 years of St Kate's. He was also recognized with the St Catherine Myser Alumnae Award for Teaching Excellence. In 2009, Peter was named honorary St Catherine alumnus in recognition of his outstanding service and continuing dedication to the University. These same honors were also bestowed on his wife, Catherine. Their passion for education forged enduring bonds with students, colleagues, St Catherine's and the greater community. Artist, Husband, Father, Teacher, Mentor, Creator, Friend. Peter embodied love and light. He will be deeply missed & celebrated. Mass of Christian Burial at St Joan of Arc Church in the gymnasium, 4537 3rd Avenue South in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 2:00 pm, with Visitation beginning at 1:00pm. Memorials preferred to the Peter Lupori Scholarship Fund endowment at St Catherine University. gillbrothers.com Minneapolis 612-861-6088

Published on January 25, 2015