The scent of beeswax and candlelight filled the Matlock Recreation Club on April 1 as residents took part in a hands-on pysanka workshop led by Angela Sarakula.
Pysanka, a traditional Ukrainian Easter egg, is created using a wax-resist dyeing technique that produces intricate, symbolic designs.
Sarakula, a first-generation Canadian whose parents emigrated from Ukraine more than 75 years ago, has spent much of her adult life teaching the art form. Her workshops have taken her across the country, from coastal communities in Newfoundland to schools on British Columbia’s ski slopes.
Three two-hour sessions were held throughout the day in Matlock, giving participants of all ages the chance to try the technique for themselves. Using eggs as their canvas, attendees worked with beeswax, dyes and traditional tools to create detailed patterns while learning about the cultural significance behind the designs.
Each participant completed a pysanka to take home, reflecting both their creativity and a connection to a longstanding Ukrainian tradition.
