Members of the Consistory of the UOC of the USA

Visit Petrykivka Spring” Exhibit

On Tuesday, March 21, 2017 the entire Executive Body of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA toured Petrykivka Spring exhibit, organized by the Ukrainian Historical and Educational Center of NJ.

Welcoming His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, Very Rev. Fr. Bazyl Zawierucha, Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Hutnick, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Perkins, Rev. Fr. Victor Wronsky, Elizabeth Symonenko and Charles Sanderson, Director of UHEC Natalia Honcharenko gave a brief overview of the exhibit, introducing Pani-matka Oksana Pasakas and Dr. Michael Andrec, who were instrumental in preparing the exhibit for public viewing.

Dr. Andrec led the group through the exhibit, answering several questions provided historical narrative of the development of the folk painting art from the village of Petrykivka in central Ukraine. 

The Petrykivka style originated from an ancient decorative painting tradition in central Ukraine, where it was used to decorate whitewashed walls, ceiling beams, hearths, and household items. Petrykivka paintings are characterized by core motifs that reflect the unity between humans and their natural environment and the cyclical rebirth of life, including flowers, trees, and birds. 

This exhibit, which is presented at the temporary gallery of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary’s Library, presents over 30 works of noted artists working in the Petrykivka tradition from the 1980s to the present, including Volodymyr Hlushchenko, Halyna Nazarenko, Olena Panko-Yarmolyuk, Uliana Sklyar, Valentyna Milenko, and others from the collection of Mischenko/Pawlenko collection.

However, it also goes "beyond the canvas" and explores the historical context of this distinctively Ukrainian art tradition, which was put on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2013.

In order to learn about its origins in folk spirituality, its connections to the Ukrainian Kozak state, and its recent transformation into a "brand" of independent Ukraine, visit the exhibit at 135 Davidson Ave. Somerset, NJ 08873. Several pieces of art are available for purchase. 

Regular hours: M-F 9am–5pm and Saturday Noon–5pm, or groups by appointment, by contacting UHEC at (732) 356-0132.

In order to visit the web site of the Ukrainian Historical and Educational Center of NJ, follow this link.