Pisanki Ornament Workshop with Sarah Renee Ozlanski - Sunday, December 14, 12:30 to 4:30

Pisanki Ornament Workshop with Sarah Renee Ozlanski - Sunday, December 14, 12:30 to 4:30

Discover the joy and symbolism of Pisanki in an afternoon filled with color, pattern, and quiet holiday creativity!

Explore a beautiful, ancient art form while creating unique, hand-decorated ornaments in this beginner-friendly workshop! Pisanki—also known as Pysanky—the intricate, colorful wax-resistant eggs from Poland and Ukraine (Pysanky), aren't just for spring celebrations, but are perfect for winter holidays as well. Their symbolism as objects to hasten the sun's return with images of stars, evergreens, and deer are a welcome addition for any tree or home this December.

Class description:
In this 4 hour class, participants will learn the basics of this tradition including the wax-dye resist process, how to create eye-catching patterns from simple shapes, and the folklore and history surrounding these magical eggs. Each participant will have the opportunity to create at least two ornaments and be given their own kistki and beeswax to take home with them. This class is intended for beginners, but all skill levels are welcome to join in the holiday cheer.

Feel free to bring your own sketchbooks and drawing materials to practice ideas and patterns. All other materials are provided.

Date & time:
Sunday, December 14, 12:30 to 4:30

Materials:
All materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own sketchbooks and drawing materials to practice ideas and patterns.

All students will leave with their own kistki and beeswax square.

Age: 10 and up, students aged 10 to 14 must be accompanied by an adult

Instructor bio:
Sarah Renée Ozlanski grew up in Belfast, Maine and learned to write pisanki at 6yo from her mother; a Polish tradition that has been passed down for generations through the women of their family. This past spring she graduated from the University of Maine with a BFA in Studio Art and English. As a student, she was awarded a McGillicuddy Humanities Center Fellowship for research about the preservation of pisanki from Slavic immigrants in North America. Her pisanki have been exhibited in multiple shows and her goose egg titled The Creation by Berehynia during Maine’s Autumnal Equinox won a juror’s award. She currently resides in Belfast with her partner, three cats, and six chickens (her co-artists) named after Polish bushas: Agnieszka, Janina, Helena, Jadwiga, Faustina, and Rozalia.