Folk Arts @ the UHEC

Sampling of workshop activities, including wreath making, Petrykivka painting, beading, and straw pavuk mobile.

Folk Arts @ the UHEC is an ongoing series of in-person and online programs that provide hands-on art-making activities, as well as lecture-style presentations by experts on a Ukrainian folk art traditions. These include beadwork, embroidery, Ukrainian folk and traditional song, Ukrainian dancing, and Ukrainian holiday traditions.

Workshops

The UHEC provides folk arts workshops for adults on a variety of topics. They may be purchasable by libraries, senior centers, or other organizations. Please contact us at education@UkrHEC.org for pricing and availability. 

Pysanky

Completed pysanka, drawing tools, and block of beeswax on a paper plate, behind which are jars of colorful dyes and a lit candle.

Learn about ancient symbols and legends while making a traditional Ukrainian pysanka. During the period of Lent preceding Pascha (Easter), Ukrainians write pysanky, using the traditional wax-resist method.

Lialka Motanka

Two colorful wrapped dolls.

Learn to make a lialka motanka a traditional Ukrainian wrapped doll. No sewing is required to make this special toy that was both a symbol of wisdom and a protectress for the family.

Felt Bird Ornament

Close-up of the hands of a person stitching a wing onto a bird-shaped piece of blue felt.

Make your own traditional, homemade ornament in the shape of a bird while learning stitches and embroidery techniques.

Straw Pavuk Mobile

Close up of a person's hands tying the top of a hanging mobile made of string and straws.

Learn about the "pavuk" straw mobile, a traditional ornament made of dried straw strung on a string (originally horse tail hair) and fastened to create a 3D mobile. The "pavuk" (literally, "spider") is considered a symbol of the universe. In this workshop, participants will make their own “pavuk” mobiles out of paper straws to hang in the home during the holiday season.

Christmas Spider Ornament

Gold painted walnut shell and gold beads in the form of a spider hanging on a pine bough with Christmas lights in the background

Learn about the legend of the Ukrainian Christmas spider and make your own magical spider for your tree. Spiders will be made from a walnut shell and beads. This tradition dates back centuries to a tale about a spider who, thankful for the warmth in the house provided by a poor family, spins beautiful Christmas decorations, saving Christmas and bringing good luck to the family.

 

Holiday Pysanka Ornament

A white-on-blue and white-on-red pysanka with a snowflake-like design hanging on a pine bough

Make a snowflake-inspired pysanka on a blown-out chicken egg and turn it into an ornament! This workshop will include a step-by-step instruction of how to make a traditional Ukrainian pysanka using the wax-resist method on a blown-out chicken egg. The completed pysanka will then be assembled so you can hang on your Christmas tree or give away as a gift.