Ukrainian Easter "Pysanky"

Paulett says she was raised in a very ethnic home. Her grandparents lived next door to her house. She says, "My Baba and Mom made Pysanky every Easter. It was job to watch and learn."

Paulett was "ready" to make Pysanky when she was 7 years old.  

"I now had my own place at the coal stove and my own small piece of wood with a straight pin on one end. I cannot remember when I never loved this beautiful folk art," Paulett explains.

She says, back then, the dyes came from what was found in nature like onion skins,

beets, berries, bark of certain trees.  She says a visiting relative from New York brought her a kit containing dyes, a few patterns, beeswax, and a wooden Kistka and she has been painting Pysanky that way, ever since!

Paulett now teaches classes on the art in Johnstown.

"Since the late 60's I have taught over 2,000 wonderful adults and children this beautiful folk art. Many have, in-turn, taught their families, have taught church groups, taken this to Scout groups.....There is a very, very old Ukrainian saying,"That as long as Pysanky are made, the world will be free of evil," Paulett says.

Paulett's class at the Bottle Works in Johnstown on Saturday, March 3 is sold out. However, she says, if there is enough interest, she is hoping another class will be added soon. If you are interested in learning this beautiful art, contact the Bottle Works in Johnstown!

This class is associated with the University of Pitt at Johnstown.

class Location: Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center

LEARN MORE:http://www.upj.pitt.edu/3490/