Pysanky with Natural Dyes

Join us in making Traditional Ukrainian pysanky.

About:

Pysanky are decorated eggs made using the wax-resist "batik" method, in which designs are drawn or written onto the egg with beeswax, and then submerged in a series of dye baths. Beautiful and intricate, they are widely recognized and extremely popular, but their origins and traditional purpose are often overlooked.

Pysanky are talismans imbued with symbols of protection and goodwill, and making them is a ritual act, a meditation. In our age of materialism, pysanky have become art objects and in the interest of convenience and speed, they are made using mass-produced dyes and tools. However, before aniline dyes became widely available, dyes were mostly made from natural materials readily available. Sourcing and creating natural dyes, as well as co-creating with nature, are integral to the ritual.

Workshop:

In this workshop, Bozena Hrycyna will guide participants in making pysanky dyes from organic ingredients provided and walk you through the rest of the process of inscribing the egg with designs to experience the miraculous birth of a pysanka. She will share some of her journey re-discovering this integral part of pysankarstvo and offer insights and encouragement for you to begin your own journey of making pysanky dyes collaboratively with nature.

No prior skills are needed. All materials will be provided. All students are welcome.

You may also like the following events from Folk camp:

• Next month, 2nd November, 05:00 pm, Kryva Kosa Folk Band Open Rehearsals! in Toronto
• Next month, 4th November, 07:00 pm, Kosa Koliadnyky Caroling Rehearsals - Learn Traditional Carols Together in Toronto
• Next month, 16th November, 01:00 pm, Folklore in Your Face! Melanka Masks & Embodiment with Kosa Folk Arts in Toronto

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