Graphic design student receives invite to Greece’s embassy

Campbell University graphic design senior Abigail Ellington has received in invitation to visit the Hellenic Republic Embassy in Washington, D.C., after her Greek postage stamp and envelope design caught the eye of Greece’s U.S. ambassador, Ekaterini Nassika.

Ellington’s design won a silver award in the international Graphis 2024 New Talent Awards competition earlier this spring. In March, she sent her designs to the embassy, which led to a Zoom meeting with Greece’s first secretary of public diplomacy, Christina Fiorentzi. The meeting ended with the formal invitation to Ellington and graphic design professor Dejan Mraović to visit D.C.

“I have always been fascinated by the culture and beauty of the great Hellenic civilization,” Ellington said. “Therefore, when we were assigned to design postage stamps and commemorative envelopes in Graphic Design II, I immediately chose Greece. My project was designed to spread appreciation for Ancient Greek culture.”

Her work includes stamps featuring sculptures of Greek gods Hercules, Athena, Aphrodite and Hermes. The ornamental patterns used on the envelopes were inspired by some of the country’s textile patterns.

“One of my biggest dreams is to visit Greece,” Ellington said. “I was thrilled that Mrs. Fiorentzi took the time out of her busy schedule to meet with me and view my philatelic project.”