Pysanka: The Ukrainian Easter Egg
Annual exhibition features more than 400 decorated eggs and marks the 40th anniversary of The Ukrainian Museum

Opened March 5 (ongoing)

New York, NY

Springtime is the season for renewal, rebirth, resurrection, and the making of pysanky, which signal the coming of Easter. Pysanky are the intricate and colorful Ukrainian Easter eggs known around the world for their beauty and originality.

The art of creating Ukrainian pysanky (from the word pysaty – to write) has been handed down from generation to generation. The secrets of this ancient art form will be revealed on Saturday, March 19 from 1-5 pm, when pysanka artists will demonstrate the process live for museum visitors. The hand-crafted pysanky are made using raw eggs, dyes, and beeswax in a wax-resist method process, similar to batik. The process results in brilliantly colorful eggs ornamented with an array of detailed geometric, floral, and animal symbols. In addition to the demonstrations, the popular, award-winning short film Pysanka by Slavko Nowytski will be screened continuously for viewers to enjoy.

The Ukrainian Museum's annual exhibition of pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs) counts more than 400 this year in conjunction with the Museum's 40th anniversary. Drawn from the Museum's extensive folk art collection, the eggs are decorated in a variety of regional styles, rich colors, and assorted motifs. The exhibition is complemented by a series of glass paintings with Easter and spring themes by Jaroslava Surmach Mills.

More information about pysanky: www.ukrainianmuseum.org/ex_110326pysanka.html

Gift shop
The Ukrainian Museum has many supplies and books about making pysanky, as well as beautifully made pysanky imported from Ukraine. Come to the Museum gift shop to browse through all the wonderful selections, or online.

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.

* * *

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.
Gift Shop * guided tours * school and family programs * reduced admission for students and seniors