Special Fundraiser for Ukrainian Emergency Relief
April 30th, 2022
Continuing Textile Traditions: Ukraine was a special program to raise relief funds for Ukraine. WARP hosted Ukrainian textile artists Halyna Shepko (New York), Daryna Alieksieienko (Kyiv), and Yaroslava Tkachuk (Lviv) for a discussion about their work within the Ukrainian weaving traditions.
Daryna Alieksieienko (Дарина Алєксєєнко) is a respected weaver who has done much to share her knowledge and to popularize Ukrainian weaving. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Daryna has been focusing her weaving efforts on creating camouflage nets for the protection of the Ukrainian Army.
Yaroslava Tkachuk (Ярослава Ткачук), from Lviv, is a graduate of Kosiv College of Applied and Decorative Art and the Art Textile department at Lviv National Academy of Arts. Since 2013, she has been a member of the National Union of Artists.
One of the few hand loom and fiber equipment tool makers in Ukraine, Andriy Pyshkar (Андрій Пушкар) teaches woodworking skills to grades 1-11 in Ternopil during the day, and creates weaving equipment in his off hours. Currently, Andriy is volunteering to help move humanitarian aid to the eastern part of Ukraine, weaving camouflage nets, and sewing for the army.
Weaver and teacher Halyna Shepko (Галина Щепко) was born in the Ukrainian part of the East Village in downtown New York City, surrounded by the culture of her heritage, into a family of musical artists. In recent months, Halyna has worked diligently to organize relief efforts and raise awareness for Ukraine, including organizing a public weave-in in front of the Russian consulate in New York.