Pysanka Master Class With Olenka Kleban: Advanced level

Name: Pysanka Master Class With Olenka Kleban: Advanced level
Start: 2025-03-29T14:00:00-07:00
End: 2025-03-29T17:00:00-07:00
Location: House of Ukraine

Schedule

Sat Mar 29 2025 at 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

House of Ukraine | San Diego, CA

Join us for a Pysanka Master Class with professional pysanka artist Olenka Kleban.
A pysanka is the most loved decorated egg of Ukraine. It comes from the word 'pysaty', which means ‘to write’. Designs are drawn on the egg shell with hot wax, followed by submerging the egg in dye. A pysanka of many colours is dyed multiple times, with wax designs drawn on the egg between dyeings. Areas of the shell covered in wax resist dye, whereas un-waxed areas absorb dye and turn subsequently darker with longer periods of dyeing. A pysanka is completed by melting off the wax to reveal designs.
Designs written on pysanky are imbued with meaning. Symbols and patterns represent various needs for a successful life. Plants, animals, celestial bodies, weather events, farming implements, and religious symbols come into play.
At this Pysanka master class - Advanced level - you will improve your knowledge and skills in Pysanka art.
Participants are encouraged to decorate at least 2 eggs in the span of the workshop: one to get acquainted with the process, and another for good luck.
Kistkas (wax writing tools) will be provided for the duration of the workshop; participants will have the option to purchase tools and dyes to take home after the workshop if they wish.
This workshop will focus on making pysanky with aniline dyes, which is the most common and quickest technique for colouring the egg.
Price is $75 for 3-hour master class per person (cash, check or PayPal) and includes all supplies. Light refreshments will be served.
There are only 6 spots available and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve your spot – pay today online.
Master class is for adults and kids of age 12 y.o. and up.
All proceeds will go to humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Please come in time to save your spot.
Olenka Kleban is a pysankar (pysanka artist) born and raised in Hamilton, Canada, now residing in San Diego. As is customary for children in the Ukrainian diaspora, Olenka learned how to make pysanky from a very early age. In her teenage years she took to making pysanky prolifically, which honed her ability to hand-draw geometric designs on the egg and acquaint herself with traditional and regional patterns. Before moving to California, Olenka taught dozens of pysanka workshops per year in and around Toronto as part of Kosa Kolektiv, a Canadian folk arts group.