Pysanky Workshops

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are offering a free egg decorating workshop with local artist Marianne Bump Lurie. Inspired by this Ukranian art form that initially was only practiced by adult women, Lurie will demonstrate basic techniques of applying wax and dye to a hollowed-out egg.

In premodern Ukraine, eggs painted in bright colors and intricate patterns were part of life and rebirth rituals. Today pysanky accompany Easter celebrations as well as humanitarian efforts to aid Ukraine in its ongoing resistance against Russian forces.

Friday, April 4, 3-5pm

Old World "Tear Drop" Style Easter Eggs

Students in this this beginner class will learn the ancient  “Tear-Drop”  technique (also known as “drop-pull) of decorating Easter eggs that is still practiced today in many Slavic countries like the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and western Ukraine. 

The “Tear-Drop” strokes are created using melted beeswax with a stylus that can be combined to create beautiful symmetrical patterns on blown out eggs.

Students will have the time and supplies to create 2-3 eggs utilizing this method in this 2-hour class.

Additional take-home materials and supplies will be available for purchase after class.

Saturday, April 5, 2-5pm

"How to Decorate Beautiful Ukranian Easter Eggs"

This class is designed for those with little or no experience in writing Pysanky.  Our focus will be on the intricate, step-by-step batik-style process needed to complete a Ukrainian style Easter egg.  Discussion will highlight the history, symbolism, and legends surrounding this ancient custom of decorating eggs in springtime. 

Participants will complete one egg during this 3 hour class.  All tools, dyes and eggs are included but additional take home supplies will be available for purchase after the class.

Register

Space is limited. To reserve your seat please contact Laine Little, Gallery Director.

email: ArtGallery@misericordia.edu 

tel. (570) 674-6250.

Acknowledgment

Support for this program was provided in part by a Creative Sector Flex Fund Grant from the
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, administered in this region by the state’s PPA Partner, The Armature. State government funding comes through an annual appropriation by Pennsylvania’s General Assembly and from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.