Pelham Art Center Hosts Ukrainian Art & Culture Events Next Week

Pelham Art Center will host three free community events centered around Ukrainian art and cultural traditions. Come learn more about the rich artistic traditions of Ukraine, and their vibrancy and importance to this day.

“Supporting our local Ukrainian communities and artists is incredibly important right now. It has been five weeks since the war in Ukraine started. For those of you who don’t know my husband is Ukrainian and we have family members currently in Ukraine. These past few weeks have been heart wrenching for all of us,” shares Charlotte Mouquin, Executive Director of Pelham Art Center. “We aim to support artists, celebrate all cultures, to promote art, education and unity. There is always something incredible coming up at Pelham Art Center. Please join us for these free programs made possible by the ReStart the Arts grant from ArtsWestchester, the Pelham Rotary, and our annual fund contributors and donors.”

Tuesday, April 5, 2022: Ukrainian-American Artist Panel – 6:00-7:30 pm

Pelham Art Center hosts a virtual panel of four contemporary Ukrainian-American artists via Zoom on April 5th, 6:00pm ET. Artists Andrea Wenglowskyj, Katrina Majkut, Christina Saj, and Luba Drozd will speak about their art practices and Ukrainian cultural heritage influence. Zoom access for this event & more information on each of the artists can be found on Pelham Art Center’s website.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022: Ukrainian Pysanka Lecture & Demo – 6:00-7:30 pm

Join Pelham Art Center for a live lecture and demo with artist and ethnographer Sofika Zielyk on the Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg) tradition. This event is free and open to the public.

Created using the batik wax-resistance technique, the Ukrainian Easter egg or pysanka (from the word “pysaty” or “to write”) was believed to possess enormous power. For the ancients, holding a pysanka in one’s hand was a way of harnessing the power of the sun. The whole egg represented the rebirth of nature, while the yolk alone was a symbol of the all-powerful sun god. Pysanky (the plural of a pysanka) were revered as talismans: they protected the family against evil, disease and fire. They could bring good luck, health, wealth and a bountiful harvest. Visit Pelham Art Center on Wednesday, April 6th at 6:00pm to learn more about this rich Ukrainian tradition and the history behind it.

Sunday, April 10, 2022: Ukrainian Cultural Celebration – 1:00-3:00 pm*

During Pelham Chamber of Commerce “Spring into Pelham”

Attend a free public celebration of Ukrainian culture with music and dancing in the Pelham Art Center courtyard. From 1:00-2:00pm, three artists–Nadia Garber, Tania Homenko, and Olga Khomenko–will give demonstrations in traditional Ukrainian craftwork. A live Ukrainian folk performance begins at At 2:00pm: “Haida-haida!” Live Music by Cheres Ensemble and Dance Performances by the VESNA Dance Group from the Yunist Ukrainian Dance School.