Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree with Thias Family

It's safe to say, we have all been looking  at the art of Ed Thias for years.

When the City of Sunset Hills celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 2007, each resident was mailed a calendar with reproduced pencil sketches by E. J. Thias. Many of the images represented historic homes and places around the city. 

Harry Kuhnert, of , remembers when Thias, with his wife Doris, would come into Minute Man Printers in Concord Village where he then worked. 

“Ed began by doing the calendars for Crest Electric every year. He was very particular about the reproduction,” Kuhnert said. “We found the perfect shade of grey to reflect his drawings of historic St. Louis buildings and monuments. Doris was a calming factor for him. He was a fun guy to work with.”

Thias taught a watercolor class at Meramec Community College in the continuing education program for 45 years—the longest continuous class at that school.

Even though Thias passed away suddenly Feb. 2, 2008 his art lives on. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Both of his daughters have inherited his passion for art.

His daughter Nancy Thias gave me an informal tour of her own artwork recently.  

Nancy’s Paper Petals note cards are featured at on South Lindbergh in Sunset Hills. Not only are her note cards for sale locally (also at Art Mart Papery on Hanley Road) but she has her Before and Again shirts being sold in 1,200 retail stores across the country. She owns the licensing on her designs of note cards, stationery, wrapping paper as well as cut fabric. 

She has a degree from Mizzou in fashion and textiles, even working in the design department of what is now Macy’s. Yet today she practices her art on paper. 

Ed Thias' other daughter, Linda Thias Sachs holds a degree in Fine Arts and Education from Webster University, and practices her own art in the field of fabrics, textiles and quilting.

Linda makes fiber art called Block Works. She uses recycled materials, especially wool sweaters that are felted, and turns them into quilts, wall hangings, scarves and pins, then embellishes with beads, buttons and doodads. 

She uses the colors and techniques of her dad’s style of teaching.

“My dad would say: ‘Trees are not brown’,” according to Sachs.  

Linda is also an art teacher at Ridge Meadows Elementary in the Rockwood District.  

“My classroom is set up just like our family home, with ceiling-to-floor art.  I think it inspires the students," Linda Thias said. 

The pair of sisters are planning a Father-Daughters art show at  in the fall.

Nancy’s cheerful designs of flowers are in keeping with her father’s watercolor images. One of Nancy’s pieces hangs in the lobby of the Sunset Hills Community Center. I think it's no accident that it is an image of a sunflower for Sunset Hills.

Just outside of the entrance to the new Community Center is a planted tree dedicated to her father. Ed Thias was the first chairman of the zoning and planning commission. 

“Mr. Thias was a great citizen,” said Gerald Brown, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Sunset Hills. “The city wanted to remember him by planting a tree.”

While in the Navy, Thias drew plans and did some drafting. It was then that he decided to become an architect. He returned to St. Louis, entered Washington University, and graduated in architecture and sculpture. 

He was President of the Missouri A.I.A. in the 1950’s during the modern and the Bauhaus era.

“He was an academic as well as very creative,” said daughter Nancy. “He used both sides of his brain, and he imparted that to us.”

The History of Sunset Hills book, revised by Pat Bessinger and Joyce Franklin, both of the Sunset Hills Historical Society, is available from the Society.

“My dad said, ‘Trees are not brown’,” said Linda.  She uses the colors and techniques of  her dad’s style of teaching.