Past Workshops
Out Artist / Instructors …
for the Workshops prepared in conjunction with our exhibit SACRED STRAW
Božena Hrycyna is an amateur singer of traditional village songs, embroiderer, pysanka maker, weaver of threads and grasses, and textile craftsperson… actively learning and sharing these artforms from her Ukrainian/Ruthenian heritage. She has taken workshops and travelled extensively in pursuit of deeper understandings of these and other folkways, and apprenticed to the land, spending the last five years on a homestead near Wilno, Ontario
Myroslava Boikiv is an art restorer, curator, author, researcher and multi-media artist. Since coming to Canada in 2016, she has actively promoted Ukrainian culture in North America. She gives fascinating lectures and master classes on the topics of women's traditional wear, jewelry, embroidery, weaving, straw art and more. Myroslava generously shares her talent, expertise, and love for Ukrainian culture with Canadian and international audiences.
Oksana Hawrylak is a visual artist from Toronto whose work focuses on public & community art, with a strong folk art bent. Past workshops she's taught include: screen printing, relief printing, bookbinding, mask making, paper cutting, didukhy (decorated Ukrainian wheat sheaf), and pysanky (Ukrainian easter eggs).
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch and Native Canadian Centre of Toronto presented a series of beading workshops in connection
with their recent exhibition “The Spirit of Beads: Sharing our Stories”
All workshops were VIRTUAL and included the cost of materials, which were mailed to the participant.
Please see below for a description of each workshop and information about the artists who conducted them.
Family Workshop
Description: In this two-part family workshop presented in partnership with UNF Toronto Branch, participants will learn basic Indigenous and Ukrainian beadwork techniques with artists Katie Longboat and Anastasia Baczynskyj. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on cultural practices, traditions, and belief systems through their shared appreciation of the beauty of beadwork. By the end of this two-part workshop, participants will have completed two projects.
This is a two-part workshop. Ticket includes both workshops and participants should be available for both dates.
Ages 8 - 18
Maximum participants: 25
Cost per participant: FREE
This workshop is generously funded by Olzhych Foundation.
Day One: Introduction to Bead Embroidery with Katie Longboat
Please note that bead colours may vary from the colours in the photograph.
Saturday, March 27 2021, 3pm - 4:30pm
Day Two: Coral Bead Necklaces with Anastasia Baczynskyj
Saturday, April 10 2021, 3pm - 4:30pm
Fringe Earrings
Description: Join artist Katie Longboat in making a pair of beautiful beaded fringe earrings. Katie is a Toronto based Indigenous (Mohawk and Cree) bead artist, originally from
Six Nations of the Grand River. She has over 15 years of experience with both creating beadwork and facilitating beading workshops.
3 hours
Time 1pm - 4pm, Saturday April 24 2021
Maximum Participants: 25
Age/experience level: Open to all experience levels
Cost per participant: $40
Strawberry Dreams
Strawberry Pin Cushions with Naomi Smith
Description: Create a functional and decorative 3-D beaded strawberry pin cushion influenced by a century-old Indigenous design. The strawberry is an esteemed symbol of Woodlands Culture. Antique beads will be incorporated into the design as a way of honouring the history of this piece. Traditional teachings will be part of the learning experience.
Full day workshop
Time: 10am - 4pm, Saturday May 15 2021
Maximum participants: 40
Age/experience level: This is an all skills level mature workshop (No children). Comfort with hand sewing is an asset.
Cost per participant: $60
Kit includes all the materials required to complete the project including thread, fabric, beads, stuffing, and written instructions.
Ukrainian Netted Cuff
Description: The stunning pizzazz comes from the continuous zigzag and the contrasting beads. Maria Rypan will show you how easily the zigzag pattern is created by colour placement as you bead along. The motifs are quickly formed as you bead weave vertically up and down. The colour changes keep you on your toes and works up quickly into a bracelet band
3 hours
Time: 1pm - 4pm Saturday, June 12 2021
Maximum participants: 15
Age/experience level: Comfortable with in-hand beadweaving
Cost per participant: $45
Our Artist - Instructors
Katie Longboat is a Toronto based Indigenous (Mohawk and Cree) bead artist, originally from Six Nations of the Grand River. She has over 15 years of experience with both creating beadwork and facilitating beading workshops. Her style incorporates inspirations from the natural world, her travels, her family, and uses contemporary materials to create one of a kind jewelry pieces and art works.
Anastasia Baczynskyj holds a Master’s Degree from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (University of Toronto) and has been teaching professionally for over 15 years. A specialist in identity formation, she has a keen interest in elements of material culture and their importance in developing cultural identity. Her passion for beads has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of Ukrainian beadwork, including materials, techniques, and regional styles. Her love for the art form began in childhood, and her passion has recently taken a new direction. Ukrainian women from all over the globe now turn to her to help restore heirlooms or craft new pieces from remnants of family treasures. She has led restorative work through live online sessions when sending the item was not possible.
Naomi Smith is an Indigenous Artist and Educator. She is actively involved in sharing traditional teachings with others. She focuses on the ways of the Indigenous people of the Woodlands and Northeastern region from a historical and contemporary perspective often through the story of beads. Her artwork embraces ancestral designs in the form of bags, adornment, and accessories using quillwork, beadwork and other indigenous methods and materials. Naomi's work has been exhibited across Canada and internationally. She has shown at the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington DC, New York City, the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and participates in numerous events throughout the year. Artist’s Statement: “Honouring our traditions is my voice within and beyond my Culture and Community. Traditionally there is no word for “art” in Native languages yet artistry and visual expression are critical in defining who we are as Indigenous people. It is this path I wish to exemplify through my teachings and my work."
Maria Rypan is a recognized expert in Ukrainian-style beadwork. Her specialties are netting, unique beadweaving and loomweaving techniques. Since 1995 she’s been teaching internationally, produces a kit line and lectures on beading and global folk arts. Her research trips to Ukraine yield fresh material about folk costumes, adornments, and trends. Maria also taught master classes, showed presentations in Ukraine since 2010. Visit www.rypandesigns.com
UMC OB gratefully acknowledges the support of our sponsors:
