How to Make Ukrainian Pysanky

Author:  Martha Wichorek

Edition:   Reproduction of original

Format:  Softcover booklet

Pages:  30         

Language:  English

Illustrations:  BW drawings

Publisher:  self-published (Detroit, 1975)

Availability:  Out of print

Acquired:  gift

ISBN:  N/A

When I was a child, I used to look forward to the annual pysanka-writing event at our church.  This would be held after church on a Sunday before Easter, and was organized by the Ukrainian Graduates of Detroit and Windsor, by members of the organization's “Pysanka Committee.”  The project was the brainchild of the Michael and Martha Wichorek; it was an attempt to re-introduce Ukrainian-Americans to one of their folk arts, as well as to teach Americans about this Ukrainian tradition.

Grosse Pointe News, March 20, 1958

The graduates would demonstrate pysankarstvo, and allow those who were interested to try their hand at it.  They also sold supplies–pysachky, dyes, beeswax–along with design sheets, booklets and post cards (UGS and Surma, IIRC).

This appears to be a booklet written by Martha Wichorek in 1975, and includes instructions, customs, myths, symbols, motifs and examples of diasporan designs. I assume it was sold by the UGDW during classes, but do not know for sure.  This copy was made and given to me by a friend. 

Sample design page by Martha Wichorek

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