Flat Head Screws

If you are ever in New York City, as I was recently, you undoubtedly paid a visit to the amazing Metropolitan Museum of Art embraced by the beauty of Central Park. However, you may not have known to pop into another treasure find just kitty corner away. 

The Ukrainian Institute of America is housed in a turn of the last century mansion across the street from Central Park.  Thanks to a Ukrainian industrialist, inventor and philanthropist, this beautiful mansion with its prestigious address and unique architectural style has become a hub for seminars, symposia and conferences about news, political events and policy in Ukrainian organizations both here in the diaspora and in Ukraine. 

An anecdote retold by a friend enticed me to enter this fabulous building - this impressive Institute was made possible through the generosity of a person whose claim to fame involved the invention of a very needed flat head screw, designed especially for airplane construction.  It says something special about the Ukrainian dream in the diaspora that such an institution should be doing its work, quietly and effectively, nestled as it is in the most wonderful location on museum trail in New York City.  http://www.ukrainianinstitute.org/about.php# 

The grandeur of its architectural style is in stark contrast to the amazing modern art treasure we found inside on its gallery walls.  Twenty eight three-dimensional geometrically shaped, constructed relief sculptures were in the exhibition that welcomed us. And when we looked closer, it was the very interesting, contemporary art-works of professor of Fine Art at the University of Calgary, Ron Kostyniuk.

Ron Kostyniuk is a Canadian artist of Ukrainian descent whose work has been widely exhibited. His sculptures are included in many private and museum collections in Canada. We were glad to have the opportunity to view his exhibition, Art as Nature Analogue, and have another special place to visit the next time in New York - the Ukrainian Institute of America.  

 

 

Prairie Dreamscapes: Reimagining Your Roots

The Alberta Council for the Arts are very please to invite guests to a new exhibit this December. From December 7, 2012 to January 19, 2013, a special show entitled Prairie Dreamscapes:  Reimaginging Your Roots can be viewed at St. John's Institute in Edmonton.

Featuring Ukrainian Canadian and Ukrainian artists of several disciplines, the exhibit premiered in September at the Ukrainian Festival in Toronto - there were rave reviews.  The dreamscape concept is coming to the prairies, to its roots!

St. John's Institute on Whyte Avenue near the University of Alberta is a welcoming university residence that has a great Ukrainian Canadian heritage.  Founded originally as a Bursa, a bursary residence, under the name Hrushevsky Institute, the residence is a wonderful community!  Over the years many generations have attended St. John's Institute and built great relationships - life long friends.  It is time for your visit!

St. John's Institute are glad to welcome new thoughts, dreams and visions - and a providing a warm, generous and hospitable welcome for this beautiful art exhibit entitled Prairie Dreamscapes:  Reimaginging Your Roots.

As the poster indicates, there will be wine and refreshments for the opening night ceremonies - hope you can join the Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts and join the community for this lovely art exhibit!!

A Little Illumination - Art Exhibit

Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn is hosting another lovely show of her latest watercolour paintings and studies on Sunday, December 9th, 2012 at the Ukrainian Book Store in Edmonton.  The Opening Reception will be held on the evening of Saturday, December 8th complete with an opening program and refreshments.  Larisa's artworks may be purchased at this event - so make sure to book the event early and arrive early!

Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn is an accomplished Canadian artist of Ukrainian background.  Her works are in private and corporate collections throughout North and South America, Australia and Europe.  Her patrons and fans span the continents.

Larisa has much more to recommend her too! She is a mother, wife, daughter, granddaughter, auntie, cousin, and friend with a big heart.  She cares immensely for community and family.  This event is actually a fundraiser for the Ukrainian Canadian Archives and Museum of Alberta UCAMA - which is on its journey to completion on Jasper Avenue in Edmonton.  UCAMA's mission to preserve the archival documents which attest to the historical journey of Ukrainians in Alberta and Canada, is a worthy cause.  Something to support, and contribute to, for the future's sake!

It is perfect that Larisa is lending a hand - I certainly hope you will too.  Come, purchase some fabulous art works for your home and family,  and support the future driven UCAMA project in Edmonton.  

Calgary Artist Wins Spot in Christmas Card Collection

amk2012

If you are planning on purchasing Ukrainian Christmas cards this season, and want to support Calgary Ukrainian artists, here is an idea for you. Stephania Romaniuk, local Calgary musician and artist, has had her original work of art (a digitally altered sketch) featured in last year's collection of a special Christmas Card collection. This year her acrylic on canvas has been included in the card collection.  

An international community of Ukrainians from Canada, Australia, the United States and Ukraine is honoring the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).  

The heroic efforts of the 100,000 soldiers of UPA (a national army of freedom fighters) began in 1942, fighting on two fronts - Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, and though the war officially ended in 1945, UPA continued to inspire until the 50's and 60's. Their sacrifice and dreams of Ukrainian sovereignty and independence would continue to foment interest and inspiration for generations to come.  

Stephania's artistic inspiration comes from notable sources including "Their Just War" (Humeniuk, Luciuk) a collection of photographs of UPA soldiers.  The immense expressive and artist potency of these images captured her attention.  She feels that contributing to this project, and winning a spot in the card collection contributes in some small way to the pro-sovereignty effort, and is especially pleased that proceeds will go toward youth initiated projects in Ukrainian community building.  Projects like ongoing awareness campaigns for the Holodomor, and support for Ukrainian language education are among the targets for this historical, cultural and political project fund.  

Each package includes 6 cards and envelopes - 4 restored vintage cards and 2 original works by Ukrainian Canadian artists, and is being sold for $10.  In Calgary, they may be purchased by contacting Stephania Romaniuk at (587)228-0220 or stephania romaniuk@gmail.com. 

Canadian Feature Film - "Enemy Aliens" -

Finally, there is a film planned to portray the historical events from the Enemy Aliens episode of Ukrainian Canadian history!  In mid October the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation granted support to Actor/ Film Maker Ryan Boyko in his mission to produce a new Feature Film about Canada's First National Internment Operations of 1914-1921.  "Enemy Aliens" will tell the story of brothers who leave Ukraine just before the declaration of war in central Europe in 1914.  Ambitious and aspiring to a better life in Canada, the boys arrive and have their hopeful dreams dashed.  Like the stories of many new immigrants of the time, the ramifications of their arrival in Canada at this strategic juncture in world history are daunting.  The movie is a fictional account, full of adventure, love, betrayal, hopes, and dreams.  One alarming event after another will forever change their lives - and the lives of many more who were engulfed in this sorry experience. 

The Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation has contributed a sum of 25 thousand towards this film.  If you should choose to support it too, you can donate directly to UCCLF ( Donations to "Enemy Aliens") , a not for profit organization that will issue tax receipts for donations.  The Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund has also supported this project - check it out at www.internmentcanada.ca.

For more information on the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation, please visit their website at www.ucclf.ca. For more information on this and other upcoming projects, please visit www.ryanboyko.com and www.armisticefilms.com. rmisticefilms.com.

SHUMKA, MATVIENKO, KYTASTY - Could you ask for more??

Ukrainian dancing in Alberta has never looked brighter!  Just think about the lineup for this Shumka's amazing fundraising Gala this November 17, 2012! Celebrating Ukrainian dance in Alberta is one thing, but when you enlist steller Eastern European greats like Matvienko, North America's bandura activist Julian Kytasty, and the amazing list of collaborators for this event's premier performances, you are headed for uncharted territory! I am breathless just thinking about the themes Shumka will feature in this Season of New Creation! 

As a former Shumka dancer, I can tell you the inspiration to dance is probably universal.  However, inspiration is certainly not enough.  Finesse, professional preparation, talented choreography, contemporary theatrical influences, and the deeply embedded ethnographic soul of Ukraine steps on stage with every Shumka dancer. And they deliver spiritually moving performances you remember for a long time after the event!

I have always admired Nina Matvienko for her touching and tender interpretations of Ukrainian folk tradition - you can't listen to her voice and not be moved. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjkL5LKIDys&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXnkDO29lYU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7R1lsYIk2M&feature=related

And when Julian and Victor Kytasty came to Calgary in the summers around 1980 there was a huge bandura movement here!  Perhaps there is a bandura in your future!
Fantastic videos to help you understand Bandura!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAQVzplFDo&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws_wEA9pkHI&feature=relmfu

Really, can you afford not to go to this Gala!!!

Shumka's Fundraising Gala - A Season of New Creation Join the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers for Shumka's 13th Annual Fundraising Gala: A Season of New Creation on Saturday, November 17 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (11455-87 Ave).

Shumka's Fundraising Gala is the company's only annual fundraising event with proceeds supporting the creation and development of original music, choreography and costumes. The 2012 Gala will be hosted by Global's Lorraine Mansbridge, with Honorary Patrons Tommy and Ida Banks.

Nina Matvienko

The Gala program includes Koliada: Winter Celebration in the Carpathian Mountains - a special collaboration with Virlana Tkacz, founder and director of the Yara Arts Group of New York. This unique premiere piece features Eastern European vocal legends Nina and Tonia Matvienko from Kyiv, Ukraine, and Julian Kytasty, a Ukrainian-American composer/banduryst, and Cecilia Arana, a conductor and vocalist, both from New York City.

Tonia Matvienko

Voices of the Silenced - Canada's Forgotten Internment Camps brings a poignant work to the stage, recalling the crippling legacy of the thousands of Ukrainians and other Eastern Europeans who were not permitted to serve in WWI but instead interned as "enemy aliens" by their own country.

The evening continues with Oi susidko (My Neighbour), a high-stepping new piece blending the spirit of a favourite traditional folk song with a soaring symphonic score.

After the performance, patrons will enjoy scrumptious appetizers and visit with friends while bidding on amazing silent auction items with opportunities to win outstanding raffle prizes.

Cocktails: 6:30 pm

Performance: 7:30 pm

Food, Silent Auction, Raffles & Much More: 8:30 - 11:30 pm

Tickets are $100 each or $1500 for a table of eight. Corporate tables include premium seating in the auditorium, a complimentary glass of champagne for each guest at the table, and table signage with corporate logo or name. Tax receipts are available for the allowable portion.

Tickets available by phone at 780-455-9559 or email tickets@shumka.com

Christmas Card Art Contest

UCC Christmas Card Art Contest

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is taking enormous strides to help promote and celebrate Ukrainian Canadian artists. As part of celebrating the 2012 Christmas Season, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress is calling for submissions of an original image to be featured on the cover of the UCC's 2012 Christmas card. Submission Deadline:  Friday October 26, 2012 Design Submission:  PDF format emailed to marta.tkac@ucc.ca . Tagline: 2012 CHRISTMAS CARD CAMPAIGN SUBMISSION UCC National is looking for the submission of an ORIGINAL IMAGE ONLY which, if chosen, will quickly become recognized as the face of the UCC 2012 Christmas Card. The winning artist will receive an honorarium of $1000.00 in addition to artistic recognition by the community. Images must express the Christmas theme in a visually resolved and captivating manner. There are no limits to how many submissions an artist can submit, however please ensure a high quality of imagery. Images may be manipulated to fit dimensions of card, thus consider the dimensions of 4 inches by 6 inches, 16 cm by 24 cm, or 20 cm by 20 cm as a guideline. Click here for more information.

Spirit of the Seasons - Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre

One has to admire the positivity of Suzirya's approach to dance.  Joyful, enthusiastic, forward looking!  With one glance back into the folkloric traditions of Ukraine, and a grande gesture forward, the talented and professionally trained dancers of Calgary's Suzirya Ukrainian Dance Theatre (under the direction of Serguei Makarov), share the timeless beauty of dance.  I hope you will mark these upcoming dates in your calendar and join in the "spirit of the seasons". 

SUZIRYA Ukrainian Dance Theatre is excited to announce the performance of their upcoming production, "Spirit of the Seasons" at the Southern Jubilee Auditorium on Saturday, October 13th and a second show in Edmonton on Sunday, October 21st at the Arden Theatre. www.suzirya.com
 

More Ukrainian Summer Camps!

For an excellent experience with an excellent artist-educator, you just can't beat summer camp with Larisa!  She is a wonderful Canadian artist of Ukrainian ancestry whose career has blossomed - and I am not even exaggerating.  She loves flowers, and with her extensive knowledge of ancestral Ukrainian culture, folklore and folk remedies, she is able to convey multiple layers of meaning in her wonderful watercolor paintings.  Drama, subtle and sensitive images of moments in culture, moments in history, a social commentary that has brought her artistry acclaim and international recognition. Her beautiful art works hold a special place in private and corporate collections throughout North and South America, Australia, and Europe.

Exploring Ukrainian folklore through dance, drama, art and cooking, she has a unique message for all young people - don't you wish she would teach adults too? She is partnering with St. John's Institute in Edmonton to present summer day camps for children ages 6-12 this August.  Maybe it's time to visit family or friends in Edmonton for the week and register the kids for Art by Larisa's Ukrainian Summer Camp! 

Calgary Bandura Players head to Mohyla Institute

www.bandura.org

I am so impressed I can't speak.  Some wonderful news has just crossed my computer screen, making me smile - but then again...... Maybe you know about the bandura?  My parents bought me a bandura, and sent me to lessons with Professor Andrij Hornjatkevyc in Edmonton.  Then on a camper trip to Manitoba somehow my new little radio/cassette player caught the Bandura ensemble from Windsor on the airwaves - a bizarre experience now that I think about it.  I was so enthralled with playing the whole trip to Baba's and back, my technique got better, and I learned to love playing bandura.  Then I took bandura lessons many years ago with Victor Kytasty, Julian Kytasty and Marko Bandera in Edmonton too.

A long time back in Calgary, probably 1980 or so, there was a wonderful Bandura Summer Program hosted at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption.  Not sure who was the sponsoring organization, but I was there too, and it was so much fun!  Later on my daughter had the opportunity to study bandura with Pani Nadia.  I know there were a bunch of Saskatoon girls who played and performed on bandura in Calgary - they sang such lovely Ukrainian folk songs.  Well my poor bandura has suffered from Calgary's notorious lack of humidity, and you can guess, there is a crack running down it's face.  So sad.  I wonder where the time has flown? When was the last time I played?  Maybe you play?  I wonder whether you have a photo or some comment about all those Bandura related events in Calgary over the years?  Maybe you'll leave a comment? 

It's time to go to Bandura Camp!  And a spectacular one that features the great maestro Victor Mishalow, renowned Toronto based musician and teacher of Ukrainian culture and language. ( Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Mishalow for his biography, awards and list of recordings.)

The great people at Mohyla Institute in Saskatoon are offering a fabulous two week summer musical program devoted to learning bandura and Ukrainian choral music.  This two week program offered at St. Petro Mohyla Institute August 6-9, 2012 gives teenagers 13 years and older eight hours of daily group instruction. Learning to play bandura will be the main focus, but the participants will also have lessons in sopilka (flute), tsymbaly (dulcimer), Ukrainian language, folk songs and customs, Ukrainian history and Ukrainian liturgical hymns.  Evening dances, movies, concerts and talent night events will certainly keep the mood light and fun!! A final concert, singing the responses at a Divine Liturgy, and a chance to perform at the Annual Folk Festival In Saskatoon will be great opportunities to share the learning with the general public.

The basic tuition fee covers accommodation, meals, and music instructional materials.
The standard tuition fee is based on shared accommodations at Mohyla Institute.

Registration fee (non-refundable)	$125.00
Tuition fee	$715.00
Bandura rental fee (optional: you may supply your own)	$50.00
Linens (optional; one fitted sheet is included for free)	$50.00
Individual room (optional; dependent on availability)	$250.00
Internet in the room (optional; internet is available for free on the main floor)	$50.00
Family discount - call for verification and to arrange payment for more information go to www.mohyla.ca phone 306-653-1944 or contact Steve at 306-584-1846	$25.00/member

 

UCPBA Calgary Outstanding Achievement Award 2012 - Peter Shostak

The Annual General Meeting of the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Calgary will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2012, again at the Danish Canadian Club, Valhalla Ballroom at 727 - 11th Avenue SW.
 
The Ukrainian Canadian Professional & Business Association of Calgary is delighted to announce that the recipient of its Outstanding Achievement Award for 2012 is renowned Ukrainian-Canadian artist Peter Shostak. This award is being presented to Mr. Shostak in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions over many decades, as one of Canada’s foremost artists, in commemorating, celebrating and honouring the heritage of Ukrainian pioneer settlement on the Prairies. The evening will also include an exhibit of Shostak works owned by UCPBA members and other Calgarians in attendance.

Pre-dinner entertainment will be by Absolutely Unplugged (Darren Moroz & Noella Ostash).

Mr. Shostak has kindly donated a limited edition serigraph, ‘The colours have not faded’, which will be raffled-off following Mr. Shostak’s speech.Tickets for the raffle are $10 each and may be purchased at the door. Two signed books by Mr. Shostak will also be offered as door prizes.
 

THE COLOURS HAVE NOT FADED
Serigraph Colours: sixteen
Image Size (inches): 16" X 25"
Edition Size: 90
Price: $400.00 CDN

Peter Shostak was born and raised on a farm in north-eastern Alberta. His early interest in art inspired him to major in art at the University of Alberta. In 1969, he obtained a graduate degree in Art Education and then took a teaching position at the University of Victoria. He remained there as Associate Professor of Art Education until 1979, when he decided to leave teaching and pursue a career as an artist, devoting all of his time to painting and silkscreen printing.

Much of Shostak's art reflects his memories of growing up on the prairies during the late forties and fifties. Two publications, When Nights Were Long and Saturday Came But Once A Week, reveal some of his personal history. In 1997, he collaborated with Vancouver writer, David Bouchard, on the book Prairie Born. His latest book Hockey…under winter skies was released in the fall of 2000.

Shostak's most ambitious project, to which he devoted five years of painting, was completed in 1991 with the unveiling of his series "For Our Children". These fifty large oil paintings, which portray early pioneer settlement in Western Canada (based on Ukrainian pioneer experiences), have been exhibited across Canada. All fifty paintings, along with background stories gleaned from Shostak's many years of research, are reproduced in the coffee table book For Our Children. In the introduction to this book, W.D. Valgardson states, "In his life and his art, Peter Shostak depicts what it means to be Canadian. He honours the memory of all our past lives."

In 2003, Peter Shostak received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of his outstanding exemplary contribution to Canada.

Most major cities in Canada have repeatedly hosted exhibitions of his work over the past several years and he has completed many commissioned paintings and serigraphs for individuals, organizations and major corporations.

After living in Victoria for thirty-six years he recently moved north on Vancouver Island to Courtenay, BC. He frequently returns to his native Alberta to photograph and refresh his mental images of prairie life and landscape.

For more information, contact Peter Shostak

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Contact the UKRAINIAN CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF CALGARY at 403-670-5477 or e-mail:  admin@ucpbacalgary.org     www.ucpbacalgary.ca