2014 Doors Open – This is what Canada is all about!

It's been a busy summer.  Just a week following the European Festival, we opened our studio, gallery, and library to the public in celebration of Richmond's Doors Open event.

The weekend started with an opening ceremony at London Farm heritage house. My sister was visiting from Toronto. She loves antiques and has her own heritage house in the Ottawa Valley, so she was especially interested in this historical venue.

The weather was glorious that weekend, and the next 2 days were a flurry of activity. Guests were welcomed to a festive expanse of balloons, and my Save the World with Pysanky display. The kids in our neighbourhood had cookies, muffins and lemonade for our visitors.  

The tour started upstairs in the gallery of pysanky, followed by the opportunity to look at the expanse of books catalogued in About the Pysanka—It Is Written!  A cozy corner was set up for reading children's stories.

Many visitors were interested in watching the video, Pysanka: The Ukrainian Easter Egg. The next display to look at was How to Make Pysanky and learn how to empty eggs at the kitchen sink.

Fortunately the weather was sunny and the display expanded to include both levels of our home. Downstairs, children could take a photo in our cut-out pysanka in the garden, interact with mascots Patsy Pysanka and Guy Kistka in the yard, or colour some pysanky pictures inside.

There were puzzles set out for the pysanky timid and for those who wanted to relax.

Tom enjoyed demonstrating pysanky until it was time to facilitate the free workshops.

Everyone loved making pysanky! A group of ladies arrived to celebrate Lou's birthday.  An East Asian woman (sorry, I forgot her name) enjoyed applying traditional Indian patterns to her egg. Another some zen motifs. Everyone was very creative. Ruth arrived with two of her four daughters and was taking her pysanky back to Israel. She commented with a heart-warming "this is what Canada is all about"!

The weekend was dedicated to peace and justice in Ukraine with donations going to CNEWA. Thank you to everyone for your donations.

See more photos of the event on my Flicker Album 2014 Doors Open here.

Pysanky at 17th Annual European Festival



Tom at EuroFest

Tom and I welcomed my sister from Toronto to attend the 17th Annual European Festival with us at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. Over two glorious sunny days thousands of people visited our Pysanka Pavilion of displays, demonstrations, and workshops. According to an ancient legend, as long as pysanky are being made evil shall not prevail over good in the world. The pavilion, which is always a big hit at this festival, was dedicated to peace and justice in Ukraine, and a gift of a decorated egg was given to anyone who made a donation to CNEWA to help in that cause. We enjoyed a well-deserved post-event rest in the beer gardens with entertainment and music.

See more photos on my Flickr Album here.

2014 Richmond Arts Awards

On May 6, 2014, the best artists, actors, and musicians in Richmond were recognized in several categories at the 2014 Arts Awards. I was honoured to attend the 6th Annual Awards Ceremony as a finalist in the category of Arts Education. The City of Richmond is passionate about supporting and recognizing the artistic achievements and contributions to the cultural community. The Ceremony was held in the Council Chambers at City Hall with His Worship Mayor Malcom Brodie presiding.

Award Certificate

Three finalists were selected in six categories including business and arts, volunteerism, cultural leadership, artistic innovation, arts education, and youth arts. I was so pleased and honoured to be included with the likes of The Arts Connection and Debbie Tobin for this award. The Arts Education Award recognizes an individual or organization whose achievements and contributions to arts education have been significant and far reaching and Eve Edmonds, editor of The Richmond News, announced the winner, The Arts Connection. My nomination was made by my friend, Marcia Moroz, who herself steadfastly promotes art and culture in the community.

These photo were taken by Elsa Rojas Marquez, office manager at Ukrainian Community Society of Ivan Franko. Elsa and her partner Jose Gimenez were one of several entertainers who performed that evening.

Announcing the finalists

Following the awards, Marcia, Tom, and I mingled with the other nominees and award winners at the Post-Ceremony Reception, chatted with Mayor Brodie and councilors, and reacquainted with other community leaders and volunteers.

Joan and Rosa