Museum announces schedule of workshops (02/04/01)

Museum announces schedule of workshops

by Marta Baczynsky

NEW YORK - The lack of desire to work and create with one's hands is one of the truly sad aspects attributed to our modern life style. It seems that most everything can be bought, even olden things once were by hand. People would rather purchase items than create their own unique works.

There is a great deal of pride and self-fulfillment in working with one's hands. In the Ukrainian folk culture tradition this is translated into the making of exquisite objects that are both useful and beautiful. A large part of this folk art tradition is the application of hands to such creative tasks as embroidery, bead-working, or pysanky.

The Ukrainian Museum is concerned that the knowledge of these art forms remain viable - not diluted but true to their origins - and continue to be passed on to the new generations of Ukrainian Americans. The museum is interested also in sharing this knowledge with the public.

Toward that end the museum is once again presenting its complement of Ukrainian folk crafts courses and workshops for the spring 2001 season.

The Embroidery Course, given in two eight-lesson sessions, is taught by master embroiderer Lubow Wolynetz. For those just beginning to embroider, to those whose dexterity with the needle is to be envied, there is always something new to learn in this course. Schedule: February 3 - March 17 and April 21 - June 9, 1-3:30 p.m.; fee: adults, $60; students over 16 and seniors, $50; children 10-16, $30.
The Gerdany/Bead Stringing Course is a three-session course in the art of making traditional Ukrainian beaded necklaces worn with folk costumes in various regions of Ukraine. Schedule: March 3, 10 and 17, 10 a.m.-noon; fee: adults, $30; students over 16 and seniors, $25; children 12-16, $10.
The Pysanky/Ukrainian Easter Egg Decorating Workshop offers an opportunity to learn the art of making a traditional Ukrainian pysanka with dyes, beeswax and stylus, applying traditional designs. Schedule: March 25, 31 and April 1, 2-4 p.m.; fee for each session: adults, $15; students over 16 and seniors, $10; children 12-16, $3.
Ukrainian Easter Traditions will enable participants to learn how to make traditional Ukrainian Easter breads such as babka and paska, listen to instructor Ms. Wolynets speak about Ukrainian Easter traditions, and learn how to decorate the paska with all the magical symbols of spring and reawakening of life. Schedule: March 31, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; fee: adults, $15; students over 16 and seniors, $12.50.
Demonstrations in the Making of Pysanky will present experienced artisans who will continually demonstrate this beautiful craft. The award-winning film "Pysanka" by director Slavko Nowytski will also be shown every half hour. Since the museum does not allow children under age 12 to participate in pysanka courses due to the utilization of candles and hot wax, this demonstration is a great opportunity for youngsters to actually see the time-honored process of decorating an egg "the Ukrainian way." Schedule: April 7, 2-5 p.m.; fee: adults, $4.50; students over 16 and seniors, $3; children under 12, free.

Members of the Ukrainian Museum receive a 15 percent discount for all courses and workshops. Reservations must be made in advance by calling the museum, (212) 228-0110 or e-mailing: UkrMus@aol.com.

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