Ukrainian Eggs Decorating Workshop with Irene Grassman

Ukrainian Eggs Decorating Workshop with Irene Grassman

March 29th 11:30 - 2:30

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Irene Czolacz Grassmann was born in Germany after World War II in a
displaced persons camp in Germany and came to America with her parents
in 1952. Irene’s parents were born in the western part of Ukraine and fled
their homeland – as it was under Communist Rule - to Germany before
World War II started & never returned to their homeland of Ukraine. While
quickly adapting and embracing the customs of their new homeland- this
Great country of the United States of America, Irene’s parents continued
to observe & instill their Beautiful Ukrainian Culture & Heritage in their
children.
From an early age Irene was interested in the various beautiful Ukrainian
Arts & Crafts – Ukrainian embroidery, ceramics, but fell in love with the Art
of Writing Pysanky-and to this day is still writing Pysanky – Ukrainian
Ester Eggs. The word Pysanka is derived from the work “Pysaty” which
means to “Write” and therefore the designs are “written” on an egg.
Irene – a Master Pysankar –(Pysanka Artist) has taught many people the
Art & History of the Pysanka thru courses sponsored by Monroe County
BOCES -Continuing Education Programs; Shows & classes at the
Castellani Art Museum at Niagara University, Classes in Batavia, NY
sponsored by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, various
Cultural Festivals in Buffalo, & Rochester NY; Festivals in Kerhonkson,
N.Y. as well as teaching the Art of Pysanky at a Ukrainian American Youth
Association Arts & Crafts Camp in Ellenville N.Y, in the Catskill Mtns for 16
years.
Irene has 2 children – Ulana & Myron & of course they had to learn all
about their Ukrainian Heritage Arts & culture & to carry on the beautiful Art
of the Pysanka. When Ulana was getting married, she wanted to give her
guests a Pysanka as a wedding favor & Irene happily obliged by writing
225 Pysanky for her loving daughter. Irene has a precious granddaughter
& taught her to write Pysanky as soon as her little hands were able hold the
“kistka” – stylus –(tool used to write on an egg) in her little hands to write a
Pysanka.