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The Pysanky Retreat hosted by Ukrainian EggCessories is a unique event that encourages participation from all attendees no matter their skill level, although a foundational understanding of Pysanky is suggested.

WHEN: July 17th-20th, 2025

LOCATION: 

St. Joseph's Banquet & Conference Centre

300 River Oaks Blvd. East, Oakville, ON L6H 5T1

Registration Details:

• Canadians: $575 + your province’s tax (e.g., in Ontario = $649.75 CAD).
• International attendees (USA & beyond): Flat fee of $650 CAD.

Exciting Announcement for Our Pysanky Retreat!

We are overjoyed to share some truly special news! This July, our pysanky retreat in Oakville will be elevated to a whole new level with the arrival of THREE incredible artists from Ukraine.

We are already welcoming Anna Kotlina from Kyiv, Ukraine, who will be offering her Pysanky Dove workshop, and now we’ve just received confirmation that Oksana Bilous and Tetiana Konoval have been granted their visitor visas and will be joining us as well!! Each of these talented women brings their own unique expertise in pysanky, and their presence will truly be a treat for everyone attending. This is an extraordinary opportunity to learn, connect, and create alongside brilliant minds in the pysanky community.

This is truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… if you’ve already registered, get ready for an experience like no other.

RETREAT OVERVIEW:

• attendees will arrive the Wednesday evening of July 16th to check-in to the hotel. There will be a social room available for a meet and greet that evening at 6pm.
• Arrival and Registration for the retreat starts at 8am Thursday July 17th, 2025 at St. Joseph's
• includes lunch and dinner Thursday, Friday, Saturday and brunch Sunday.
• bring your pysanky supplies, find a seat at a table and enjoy socializing and writing with fellow pysankarstvo throughout the retreat.
• Enjoy ready prepared UE dyes to use during the weekend.
• experience presentations and attend workshops from renowned pysanky artists
• shop at the onsite vendor market for supplies and unique egg-themed items on Sunday. Tables will also be available to rent.
• lodging is extra
• parking is free

The retreat offers a variety of immersive and enriching experiences:

BIRDS OF A FEATHER THEMED RETREAT: 

• This year's retreat will have a "Birds of a Feather" theme. The "Birds of a Feather" theme offers a captivating exploration of the rich symbolism associated with birds in Ukrainian folklore and art. Birds have long been revered in Ukrainian culture, representing freedom, hope, and a deep connection to nature. This theme brings vibrant life and storytelling to the Ukrainian EggCessories Pysanky Retreat 2025, offering participants an opportunity to delve into these meaningful motifs.
• In Ukrainian folklore, birds are often seen as messengers of the divine, symbols of the soul, and harbingers of change. They represent the promise of new beginnings and the transcendence of the human spirit. Birds like the nightingale, swallow, and stork hold specific meanings: the nightingale is a symbol of love and beauty, the swallow signifies good fortune and the arrival of spring, and the stork is associated with health and family prosperity.

NETWORKING AND COMMUNITY:

• Connect with fellow egg artists, share tips and techniques, and form lasting friendships within this tight-knit community. The retreat is not only a place to learn and create but also a place to bond with like-minded individuals who share a passion for pysanky.

• Learn from some of the best pysanky artists through presentations and workshops on various techniques, designs, and materials used in creating traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs. From beginners to advanced eggers, there will be something for everyone to learn and improve their skills.
• Workshops will announced and made available to book and pay through the UE website Saturday February 1st, 2025 starting at 2pm Eastern Standard time.
• Each workshop will range between $30.00CAD to $70.00CAD depending on the length of the workshop and materials needed. As well, some workshop fees will be collected at the time of registration, while others will be collected by the instructor. If you see a workshop is set as "free" please realize it is not free. Just free at time of registration. Please read each workshop description carefully.

• Pysanky has a rich history in Ukrainian culture dating back to ancient times. These intricately decorated eggs were not only symbols of springtime and fertility, but also served as talismans against evil spirits. Learn about the traditional methods and symbolism behind this art form while creating your own unique designs.

• Get inspired by the breathtaking designs created by fellow attendees at our retreats. With diverse styles and methods, you'll see the limitless possibilities for your own Pysanky creations.

• On Sunday, there will be a mini marketplace where you can sell your unique pysanky items as well as shop from other attendees selling their items.
• On the Sunday, we'll open up the doors to the Oakville and Greater Toronto communities to allow them to shop our mini marketplace.
• Ukrainian EggCessories will have traditional kistkas, electric kistky and wax to modern dye kits and accessories, you'll find everything you need to start or enhance your pysanka-making journey.
• Ukrainian EggCessories will also bring in items straight from Ukraine that will only be available for those at the retreat.
• Egg Shells To Dye For will be at the retreat to supply all your egg canvas needs

• By participating in an egg exchange, you can share and receive a unique egg from other people. This is a fun way to connect with others at the retreat and also allows you to bring back a special souvenir from your trip. Plus, it's always exciting to see what kind of egg someone else brought to the retreat.

• You may also want to consider participating in attendee goodie bags at the retreat. These bags are typically given out to all participants and are filled with various items that other attendees see as a must have pysanky tool, but also other items are welcome such as snacks, souvenirs, stickers, keychains, small product samples and of course anything “Birds Of A Feather” themed.  
• Additionally, it's a great way to show your support for the retreat and the attendees. There will be between 95-105 participants at the retreat. 

• You may want to collaborate with another attendee to cut down on costs or create a special item specifically for the retreat. Be creative and think about what would make a great addition to these goodie bags.

• Jeanne Curtis is known for her special tradition of crafting personalized keepsake bio books for retreat attendees. Arriving in her iconic egg mobile, she brings these books filled with bios and contact information, fostering connections and providing a means of staying in touch beyond the retreat. Get to know the wonderful people at the retreat and maintain those connections even after it ends.

• The retreat also offers a unique opportunity to give back and support a meaningful cause. Every year, we organize a fundraiser to support our Pysankari in Ukraine, who are dedicated to preserving the traditional art of pysanky.
• By participating in this fundraiser, by donating items, and/or purchasing tickets, you not only contribute to an important cause but also have the chance to win some amazing prizes. It's a wonderful way to make a positive impact and spread joy through the art of pysanky.

• But wait, there's more! In addition to the amazing workshops and activities planned for the retreat, there will also be some extra surprises along the way. Kathy from Ukrainian EggCessories loves to throw a few surprises into the retreats, you never know what exciting experience awaits you at the retreat. So make sure to pack your sense of adventure and get ready for some unexpected moments that will make your

• your retreat experience even more memorable.

ONLINE COMMUNITY: 

• Join the UE Pysanky Retreat Facebook group to connect with fellow attendees, share your progress and ask for advice from experienced egg artists. This is also a great platform to stay updated on retreat news and announcements.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ukrainianeggcessoriespysankyretreat

EGGING ROOMS:

1. The large egging room will be available 12 hours a day for our group.
2. Candles will be allowed when needed.
3. All spaces are air conditioned
4. Free wifi throughout the building
5. We will have one large egging room, and smaller classrooms for workshops.
6. Public washrooms are available in our egging area. 

ACCOMMODATIONS:

1. We will announce the group rate soon with the Holiday Inn at 590 Argus Road, Oakville, ON. $169.00 per night + all taxes and levies (19.22%), double occupancy, includes full buffet breakfast. Parking & Wifi complimentary

2. The hotel is receiving all new Queen size beds in the spring that will be in each double room. Additional guests in the room is an extra $15pp.

3. Check-in July 16th and check-out July 20th with group rates available 3 days prior and 3 after.

4. Reservations can be made by:
   • online booking link that will take people directly to the website with the information populated: UKRAINIAN EGGCESSORIES
   • calling the hotel directly at 905-842-5000,
   • calling the main reservations line at 1-855-914-9607,
   • emailing reservations@hioakville.com
   • on-line at www.hioakville.com – your group code isUEC
   Reservations are to be made prior to June 16, 2024 in order to receive the group rate.

PARKING:

1. Parking is included in accommodation and free at the venue.

COVID SAFETY:

1. Ukrainian EggCessories will follow government guidelines at the time of the retreat. Covid vaccinations are encouraged but not required for the retreat.
2. Masks will be optional and at the discretion of each participant.
3. If someone is sick 😷 we ask you to stay home.

Air Transportation:

Toronto, Ontario has an international airport called Pearson International Airport. It is a 40 minute drive to the venue and a one hour bus ride to a Go / VIA station that is 2 minutes from the hotel.  Learn more about the Toronto airport's flight schedules here: https://www.torontopearson.com/en