#20 - Let's Write Traditional Folk Pysanky - Alona Popova - Saturday July 19th, 3:30pm to 5:30pm - registration opens February 1st 2pm eastern

Workshop Summary:

What comes to mind when you hear the "Traditional Folk Pysanka"?

Perhaps it’s a woman seated by candlelight, carefully holding an egg and kistka in her hands. Maybe it’s the joy of harvesting flowers from your garden, knowing they’ll create the perfect natural dyes for your pysanka. It could be the warm, comforting scent of melted beeswax, the tactile experience of working on a raw egg without pre-sketching, or the inspiration drawn from century-old books filled with pysanky ornaments. Or perhaps it’s the memory of holding your kistka for the first time as a child, the start of a lifelong connection to this art form.

In this workshop, I aim to transport you to a "time before electric kistky", inviting you to experience the beauty of creating pysanky as it was traditionally done.

Participants will learn to craft traditional designs using natural dyes or vibrant colours from Ukrainian EggCessories, depending on their preference. I’ll also encourage you to embrace the process without using pencils, allowing the designs to flow naturally and authentically, using candle-heated kistky.

By the end of the session, you’ll have a finished pysanka and a profound connection to this cherished art form.

Whether you’re preserving a family tradition or discovering pysanky for yourself, this workshop offers a meaningful and inspiring experience for everyone.

What’s Provided:

• One pre-cleaned and prepared egg
• Candle for heating the kistka
• Natural dyes and dyes from Ukrainian EggCessories
• Informational materials with traditional pysanky ornaments and natural dye recipes.

What to Bring:

• Manual kistky (Candle Heated Kistky or perhaps a cherished heirloom passed down from your baba).
• A couple of extra eggs, including raw fertility eggs if you want to embrace a more authentic experience.
• Beeswax.
• Beeswax Melting Pot (optional).

Maximum Number of Students:20

Workshop Fee: $35

About Alona Popova:

Alona is passionate about the rich tradition of Ukrainian egg decorating. Born and raised in Ukraine, she passion for preserving cultural heritage in its modern incarnation. Each pysanka she creates is a homage to the resilience of Ukrainian folk art. Her mission is to guard, reproduce, enhance, and share.

Alona’s journey with Pysankarstvo began as a cherished hobby and quickly blossomed into a lifelong passion. Since 2022, she has offered master classes, sharing her love and expertise with others. In 2023, she launched a Pysanky Club, creating a monthly gathering space for enthusiasts in Massachusetts. In 2024, she extended her reach by establishing an online Pysanky Club, uniting Ukrainians across the globe to continue the tradition of pysankarstvo.

As an experienced instructor, Alona has taught Pysanky in community educational centers, Ukrainian school, and Ukrainian cultural center. She is researching pysanky books, exploring natural dyes, and adopting techniques from contemporary Pysankarky in Ukraine and abroad. Her workshops invite participants of all levels to experience the wonder of pysanky writing.