Joni Zavitsanos is an artist living and working in Houston, Texas.  She has had numerous exhibitions and lectures on her work, primarily influenced by her father, renowned Byzantine iconographer Diamantis Cassis of blessed memory.

In 2019 her work was displayed amongst the ancient Greek artifacts at Fordham University’s Museum of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Art in New York City.  Most recently she had a showing entitled “My Father’s Daughter: Byzantine Art in the Modern World”, where the Fine Arts department of Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania exhibited both her father’s icons and her modern pieces in the Eberly Library. Honoring her father, lecturing about art, and interacting with students at both universities was the highlight for Joni.

Her Living Icons Memorial tribute to victims of Houston’s COVID-19 pandemic debuted at the John McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science from October 2020 through May 2023. A unique memorial service was held at the opening in October, where the Chancellor of the Denver Metropolis, Reverend Fr. Louis J. Christopulos, led the families in prayers for loved ones lost.  The Living Icons memorial is now permanently housed at the new Quentin Mease Clinic in the Texas Medical Center.

Joni has taught middle, upper school, and adult Catechism at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral for nearly 30 years, and she previously taught middle school religion at Annunciation Orthodox School for 15 years. She currently holds a position on the AOS board of trustees.

Joni is married to John Zavitsanos, and together they have 4 children.