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Pysanky For Ukraine
Ukrainian EggCessories Pysanky Retreat 2025
Ukrainian EggCessories Pysanky Retreat 2025: “Birds of a Feather”
July 17–20, 2025 | St. Joseph's Banquet & Conference Centre, Oakville, ON
The 2025 Pysanky Retreat, themed “Birds of a Feather,” brought together more than 100 pysankari from across Canada, the US, and beyond for four unforgettable days of creativity, learning, and community. Hosted at the beautiful St. Joseph’s Banquet & Conference Centre in Oakville, this year’s retreat soared to new heights—celebrating the rich symbolism of birds in Ukrainian folklore and art.
Retreat Highlights
International Inspiration:
This year’s retreat was truly special, featuring three renowned pysanky artists from Ukraine: Anna Kotlina (Kyiv), Oksana Bilous, and Tetiana Konoval. Their workshops, demonstrations, and stories brought authentic Ukrainian artistry and inspiration directly to our community—an unforgettable opportunity for all attendees.
This year’s retreat was truly special, featuring three renowned pysanky artists from Ukraine: Anna Kotlina (Kyiv), Oksana Bilous, and Tetiana Konoval. Their workshops, demonstrations, and stories brought authentic Ukrainian artistry and inspiration directly to our community—an unforgettable opportunity for all attendees.
Workshops & Presentations:
Participants of all skill levels enjoyed hands-on workshops, artist presentations, and the chance to experiment with new techniques and designs. The “Birds of a Feather” theme encouraged everyone to explore the powerful symbolism of birds—messengers of hope, love, and new beginnings in Ukrainian tradition.
Participants of all skill levels enjoyed hands-on workshops, artist presentations, and the chance to experiment with new techniques and designs. The “Birds of a Feather” theme encouraged everyone to explore the powerful symbolism of birds—messengers of hope, love, and new beginnings in Ukrainian tradition.
Egging Together:
The spacious, air-conditioned egging room buzzed with creativity from morning to night. Attendees brought their favorite supplies, shared tips, and wrote pysanky side by side, forging lasting friendships in the process.
The spacious, air-conditioned egging room buzzed with creativity from morning to night. Attendees brought their favorite supplies, shared tips, and wrote pysanky side by side, forging lasting friendships in the process.
Vendor Marketplace:
Sunday’s lively vendor market offered everything from traditional kistkas and beeswax to modern dye kits, jewelry, and unique Ukrainian imports. It was a fantastic chance to shop, sell, and discover new tools and treasures.
Sunday’s lively vendor market offered everything from traditional kistkas and beeswax to modern dye kits, jewelry, and unique Ukrainian imports. It was a fantastic chance to shop, sell, and discover new tools and treasures.
Egg Exchange:
The much-loved egg exchange returned, giving everyone the chance to share their art and take home a one-of-a-kind pysanka created by a fellow attendee—a highlight for many!
The much-loved egg exchange returned, giving everyone the chance to share their art and take home a one-of-a-kind pysanka created by a fellow attendee—a highlight for many!
Goodie Bags & Keepsake Bio Books:
Thoughtful goodie bags and Jeanne Curtis’s signature keepsake bio books (delivered in her iconic egg-mobile!) made sure everyone felt welcomed and connected, with new friends to stay in touch with long after the retreat.
Thoughtful goodie bags and Jeanne Curtis’s signature keepsake bio books (delivered in her iconic egg-mobile!) made sure everyone felt welcomed and connected, with new friends to stay in touch with long after the retreat.
Fundraiser for Ukraine:
Our annual fundraiser was a heartfelt success, raising much-needed support for pysankari in Ukraine. Through donated items and raffle tickets, the community came together to make a meaningful impact.
Our annual fundraiser was a heartfelt success, raising much-needed support for pysankari in Ukraine. Through donated items and raffle tickets, the community came together to make a meaningful impact.
Community & Connection:
From the opening meet-and-greet to the final brunch, the retreat buzzed with warmth, laughter, and a spirit of sharing. The UE Pysanky Retreat Facebook group kept everyone connected before, during, and after the event.
From the opening meet-and-greet to the final brunch, the retreat buzzed with warmth, laughter, and a spirit of sharing. The UE Pysanky Retreat Facebook group kept everyone connected before, during, and after the event.
Comfort & Care:
Delicious meals (lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch), free parking and Wi-Fi, and thoughtful touches made the retreat comfortable for all. COVID safety guidelines were respected, and the event remained welcoming and safe.
Delicious meals (lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch), free parking and Wi-Fi, and thoughtful touches made the retreat comfortable for all. COVID safety guidelines were respected, and the event remained welcoming and safe.
Kathy’s Surprises:
No UE retreat would be complete without a few unexpected treats and signature surprises from Kathy, adding a little extra magic to the weekend.
No UE retreat would be complete without a few unexpected treats and signature surprises from Kathy, adding a little extra magic to the weekend.
Looking Back
The 2025 “Birds of a Feather” retreat was a joyful celebration of Ukrainian heritage, artistry, and the power of community. Whether learning from master artists, connecting with new friends, or simply enjoying the creative process, every attendee left with fresh inspiration and cherished memories. We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us—and we can’t wait to see what next year brings!