Media inquiries: it(a)ukrainianmuseum.org

PYSANKA: Guardian of Life

March 14 – September 13, 2015 (Extended)

The exhibition has been extended through end August 2015 in an abbreviated format with a selection of pysanky and glass paintings by Yaroslava Surmach Mills.

New York City, March 13, 2015 – Spring is just around the corner and so are the Easter holidays, which together will offer welcome relief from the harsh winter of 2015. It's the season for making pysanky (Ukrainian decorated eggs), and for reviving the ancient Ukrainian Easter traditions signifying the renewal of life. The month of March brings the Museum's annual exhibition of hundreds of pysanky from its extensive collection, and includes a line-up of workshops on pysanka decorating, a demonstration of this art form, and an Easter breads baking class.

Drawn from the Museum's extensive folk arts collection, the pysanky on display show the great variety in regional styles with their rich array of color palettes and assortment of motifs. Known the world over for their intricate, vibrant designs, handcrafted pysanky are made using raw eggs, dyes, and beeswax in a wax-resist technique, similar to the batik method used on cloth. The process results in colorful eggs ornamented with detailed geometric, floral, and faunal symbols.

The art of creating Ukrainian pysanky (from the word pysaty - to write) has been handed down from generation to generation. This ancient practice, whose roots span the ages from the pagan era to modern Christianity, is taught in workshops being offered by the Museum on Saturdays and Sundays, March 14-29. Adults and children (minimum age 12 years) learn the art the traditional way, and take their creations home. The Museum also offers an advanced class for adults with two or more years of experience making pysanky (March 29).

For one day only (March 28) visitors of all ages will have an opportunity to watch artists proficient in this art form in action as they create beautiful pysanky. In addition to the demonstrations, the award-winning short film Pysanka by Slavko Nowytski will be shown continuously from 1-5 p.m.

The Ukrainian Easter Traditions workshop on March 21, for students age 16 and older, offers hands-on training in baking Easter breads and other traditions related to the holiday.

Workshops fill up fast. Pre-registration is required for most workshops. Call 212-228-0110 to book a seat. Museum members receive discounted rates.

Print the brochure or view the course listings on the website.

About the Museum

The Ukrainian Museum acquires, preserves, and exhibits articles of artistic or historic significance to the rich cultural heritage of Ukrainian Americans; its collections include thousands of items of folk art, fine art, and archival material. At its founding in 1976 by the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, the Museum was hailed as one of the finest achievements of Americans of Ukrainian descent. Since then, and particularly since its move in 2005 to a new, state-of-the-art building in Manhattan’s vibrant East Village, it has become known as one of the most interesting and dynamic smaller museums in New York City. Each year, the Museum organizes several exhibitions, publishes bilingual (English/Ukrainian) catalogues, and presents a wide range of public and educational programs, including concerts, films, lectures, courses, workshops, and special events.

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The Ukrainian Museum
222 East 6th Street (between Second and Third Avenues)
New York, NY 10003
T: 212.228.0110
F: 212.228.1947
info@ukrainianmuseum.org
www.ukrainianmuseum.org

Museum hours:
Wednesday–Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
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