During two sold-out workshops held recently at Tyler Park Center for the Arts (TPCA) in Richboro, Basia Andrusko taught students how to create Pysanky eggs.
Basia guided them through all the steps of transforming a plain egg into a work of art, while teaching the age-old Ukrainian method of writing Pysanky.
They applied a series of melted beeswax and dyes to create traditional and individually creative patterns. When complete, the wax was melted off, revealing the vivid colors.
“Most students are skeptical at the beginning,” described Basia. “The process requires a different way of thinking as we create the pattern. The moment of ‘the reveal’ when they melt off the wax to reveal the pattern underneath is the most satisfying.”
Basia has been teaching Pysanka workshops at TPCA for approximately eight years. Depending on the season, the designs will change.
For example, she might hold pumpkin Pysanky in October, and then demonstrate how to create Christmas-themed ornaments in November and December.
The classes are geared to beginners, but all levels are welcome to attend. According to Basia, students have different reasons for enrolling in these workshops. For some it is cultural and for others it’s a new artistic activity. And then there are those who simply attend as a fun way to spend time out with friends and family.
Basia, who grew up in a Ukrainian family, learned the tradition of writing Pysanky Ukrainian Easter eggs at an early age. After raising a family and recently retiring as a hospital pharmacist, she is now able to devote more time to this craft.
For more information about Basia, visit www.PysankyByBasia.com.
For more information about TPCA workshops, visit https://tylerparkarts.org.