Intro to Pysanky, creating Ukrainian Easter eggs

Learn the traditional art of Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter egg dyeing) with artist Nico Duncanson on Monday, March 18 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The class is free to attend thanks to sponsorship by the Friends of the Mercer Public Library. We suggest a donation of $15 per person to cover the cost of materials. Space is very limited and you must call the library to register in advance. Anyone 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

In this class we will be using traditional Pysanky techniques, designs, and tools. We begin with a pencil sketch on a raw egg, then use a tool called a kistka, a candle and a beeswax block. The kistka is the stylus we will use to draw with wax, once heated, over the pencil sketch and seal off any areas that are to remain white. The egg then begins its color journey, starting with the lightest colors to the darkest.

We begin with yellow, and once the yellow dye is dry, we will add more wax with the kistka to cover any areas to remain yellow. The egg then goes into the next darkest dye, and continue until the last dye is dry and the design complete.

Next, the unveiling begins. By gently warming the egg with the candle, the wax can be wiped off with a clean cloth rag to reveal the layers of colors beneath. Behold the Pysanka! The final step is to add a thin coat of oil or varnish to shine up the Pysanka and keep it looking new for years to come.

Because this class is only 2 hours long, we may only have time to use one or two colors. This is by no means unusual. Dyes were difficult and expensive to source, and often Pysanky were only found in a few colors.

Ukranian Eggs have been known to last for years and are often passed down through generations, their intricate designs and symbols holding hidden meanings. Join us as we each create our own delicate and beautiful heirlooms, complete with our own unique symbolism.

For more information or to register, call the library at 715-476-2366.