Pysanky
Decorated Ukrainian Easter Eggs or Pysanky have been part of Ukrainian culture since prehistoric times, originally in the belief that their magic would assure the coming of Spring. In Christian times, the pagan decorated egg became an Easter Egg, symbolizing resurrection. You will learn this and more during the class.
Instructor Lisa McDonald has over 50 years of experience making Ukrainian Easter Eggs – called Pysanky. Her Baba and mother were renowned Pysankarky(pysanka artists) in Edmonton, Alberta. Lisa will explain about Ukrainian Easter traditions and show you how to make your own beautiful Ukrainian Easter Egg that can last centuries. After 3 hours, you will leave with a work of art that you created! During and after the class you can purchase supplies to make your own Ukrainian Easter Eggs at home and if you are lucky Lisa might make some Ukrainian Easter Bread to share as well!
Classes are available for all age levels, up to 25 participants. Great for beginners and pros! To hold a live class for your group in Wyoming, Montana, or other neighboring states or to hold a Virtual Pysanka Class anywhere in the world please contact me. It would be a pleasure to arrange a time to teach you this wonderful art form.
In 2022, Lisa held 23 Pysanka classes and with the help of over 200 students, raised over $12,000 for Caritas Ukraine.
Instructor Lisa McDonald has over 50 years of experience making Ukrainian Easter Eggs – called Pysanky. Her Baba and mother were renowned Pysankarky(pysanka artists) in Edmonton, Alberta. Lisa will explain about Ukrainian Easter traditions and show you how to make your own beautiful Ukrainian Easter Egg that can last centuries. After 3 hours, you will leave with a work of art that you created! During and after the class you can purchase supplies to make your own Ukrainian Easter Eggs at home and if you are lucky Lisa might make some Ukrainian Easter Bread to share as well!
Classes are available for all age levels, up to 25 participants. Great for beginners and pros! To hold a live class for your group in Wyoming, Montana, or other neighboring states or to hold a Virtual Pysanka Class anywhere in the world please contact me. It would be a pleasure to arrange a time to teach you this wonderful art form.
In 2022, Lisa held 23 Pysanka classes and with the help of over 200 students, raised over $12,000 for Caritas Ukraine.
Part of the proceeds from ALL classes will go to support Humanitarian Efforts
in Ukraine to a trusted organization that matches all donations Stronger Than Ever.
2023 Calendar
For more information or to join a class already scheduled please contact Lisa.
Contact Lisa to schedule your future in-person or virtual class.
Pictures of some of my Pysanky - the first 3 pictures were from a juried art show at the Werner Wildlife Museum here in Casper, Wyoming. The theme is 'Windswept', so I incorporated an owl, an eagle, and Wyoming's state bird the Western Meadowlark all sailing on our Wyoming winds.
The 2 pictures below these were from 2011 when the call went out to Wyoming artists to create decorations for the Wyoming Christmas tree that was sent to the White House. It's in a drawer somewhere I imagine!
|
These two pictures are of my Baba Malania Hontaryk, who was a renowned Pysankarka in Edmonton, Alberta. She along with my mother, Anne McDonald, would start making pysanky right after the Christmas decorations were put away to sell at Farmers Markets, Church bazaars and to give away to friends and family in the weeks before Easter.
|
|
Some of my mom and baba's work. The first tray shows a variety of styles from different regions of Ukraine and some Artist styles. The second tray shows pysanky created in the Trypillian style. The final design is one my mother created and made a wheat weaving to go along with.
In 2020, I was ecstatic to be featured in the Wyoming Arts Council's Magazine, Artscapes. Unfortunately Covid hit soon after and all but 2 of my classes were cancelled.
|
|