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Pysanky for Peace
Kingsway is proud to partner with the Alberta Council for Ukrainian Arts (ACUA) to host the fourth annual Pysanky for Peace. This art installation features twelve oversized Pysanky, Ukrainian Easter eggs, each painted by local and newcomer Ukrainian artists.
Pysanky are elaborately designed Easter eggs that are a large part of Ukrainian Easter traditions. During the Easter season, major cities in Ukraine often have oversized pysanky on display in their squares as part of community celebrations.
This year, the Pysanky are suspended from the ceiling, that creates a magical visual that celebrates Ukrainian art, culture and traditions. The artwork ranges in a variety of styles, from traditional to modern designs, to highlight the diversity of artistic expression.
View the exhibit until May 5th, located on the main level near Starbucks.
The Pysanky are available for purchase with 100% of proceeds supporting ACUA and their Ukrainian artists.
Purchase Here
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Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts (ACUA)
Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts (ACUA) is a non-profit Ukrainian arts organization. It is the mandate of ACUA to facilitate and encourage greater appreciation and awareness of the Ukrainian arts and their cultural significance to the greater Alberta community.
Through exhibitions, tours, festivals, educational programs, workshops, and special projects, ACUA promotes growth and provides support to the Ukrainian arts and artists living in Alberta.
Their mission is to foster the growth and awareness of all forms of Ukrainian arts in Alberta. Their objectives are to educate the public with respect to the Ukrainian arts. To support and promote Ukrainian artists and their work through a variety of activities that engage the broader Alberta public.
Meet the Artists
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Alona Liakh
Inna Revutska
Liliya Kostiuk
Liudmyla Lushchyk
Maria Levytska
Mariia Parshykova
Nataliia Stativa-Zharko
Nataliya Petrenko-Litvinova
Solomia Palanitska
Viktoriia Baranik
Viktoriia Kartashova
Yaroslava Naumenko
- Alona Liakh – “Born and raised in the picturesque landscapes of the Poltava region, Ukraine. Driven by a desire to express myself creatively, I’ve immersed myself in various forms of art, exploring painting, drawing, and other mediums. Each brushstroke and line reflects my unique perspective, drawing inspiration from the vibrant colors of my homeland. Also from early on, I’ve been captivated by the art of photography, finding joy in capturing the essence of life’s fleeting moments. My journey as an artist is a constant evolution, a journey of self-discovery and expression. Through my work, I strive to evoke emotion, spark conversation, and inspire others to see the world through a different lens. With each creation, I aim to leave a lasting impression, celebrating the beauty of life and the boundless possibilities of artistic expression.”
- Inna Revutska – “Originally from Bukovyna, Ukraine, I’ve called Edmonton home for nearly three years. Creativity has always been at the heart of who I am. Back in Ukraine, I designed elegant bridesmaid dresses, created handmade baby bedding and toys, all featuring delicate embroidery from my own studio. In Edmonton, I continue my artistic journey by crafting traditional Ukrainian garments and offering custom embroidery services. My deep love for Pysanka—the ancient Ukrainian art of decorating Easter eggs—began in childhood, watching my grandmother’s skilled hands bring these delicate symbols to life. Those memories continue to inspire my work today. This is my second Pysanka for Peace project, and it draws on traditional Ukrainian motifs that hold powerful meaning. Each element I chose reflects the strength, hope, and beauty of our culture. The symbols on this Pysanka include the infinity line (or bezkinechnyk), often depicted as a water wave. This ancient symbol represents eternal life and has been central to Pysanka art for centuries. The peacock, another key motif, symbolizes resurrection—a hopeful message of renewal and peace.”
- Liliya Kostiuk – “My name is Liliya Kostiuk, and I’m an artist from Lviv, Ukraine. I was born on April 5th and have loved art since I was a child. I studied at the Lviv School of Arts named after Anatoliy Kos-Anatolsky, where I first learned the basics of drawing, color, and composition. In 2018, I graduated from the Lviv National Academy of Arts with a bachelor’s degree in art glass. I enjoy working with glass because it’s a unique material that lets me explore light, transparency, and form in creative ways. Later, in 2020, I completed my master’s degree in the history and theory of art at the same academy. This experience helped me better understand the deeper meaning behind artworks and how they connect to culture, history, and modern life. In my work, I often focus on nature and architecture. I find inspiration in landscapes, trees, buildings, and the way natural and man-made shapes interact. I also sometimes include elements of modern art to bring a fresh, abstract feeling to my pieces. Art for me is a way to express emotion, memory, and connection to the world around me. I enjoy combining ideas and materials to create something that makes people stop and feel something personal.”
- Liudmyla (Liuda) Lushchyk – “I am originally from Cherkasy region, Ukraine. In September 2022, after the full-scale Russian invasion, I came to Canada with my husband and our four children. I hold degrees in Finance and Credit, as well as in Christian Education. Creativity has been a part of my life since childhood — I love drawing, macramé, and singing in choir. Since I was 15, I’ve been actively involved in Christian projects like children’s and youth camps, women’s and family conferences. In the five years before the war, my husband, who is a Baptist pastor, and I worked together to organize many events for kids, youth, and families. I’m always inspired to see how, through art workshops, people discover their God-given creativity. It’s not just about making something beautiful — it’s a way to express our inner world, to find healing through the process. When I arrived in Canada, I was deeply touched to discover the Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts. Being able to collaborate and take part in initiatives like “Pysanky for Peace” is a great blessing for me and my family. This is my second year participating. This time, I’ve chosen black as the main color — in Ukrainian tradition, black symbolizes the unknown, the afterlife, and the infinite nature of human existence. I believe God hears every prayer and that He will help Ukraine endure and bring lasting peace.”
- Maria Levytska – “As a newly arrived Ukrainian, I aspire to become a part of the city of Edmonton, which has given me a safe haven. I am a creative, responsible person who seeks to develop and learn new things. I like to create new projects and bring them to life, I am always looking for new opportunities and perspectives, because for me this is a way to develop and grow. I came from the picturesque Lviv region, not far from the city of the lion – Lviv. I have been fond of drawing since childhood: I graduated from two art schools. It is interesting to work in the direction of painting, drawing on glass and in the direction of the design of artistic decoration of premises. Drawing on glass is an ancient Ukrainian technique where the drawing is applied on the reverse side of the glass. For the last 6 years, I have been working in the direction of the design of artistic decoration of interiors. I received a Bachelor’s degree in the field of pedagogy – visual art teacher, I also have experience as an art teacher in elementary and high school. I am glad that I can create beauty for the surrounding world.”
- Mariia Parshykova – “I am an architect and sculptor from Kyiv, Ukraine. The material of my sculptures is metal wire, which is usually used to tie rebar on construction sites. It is a strong and malleable material, it perfectly holds its shape and is combined with the organicity of lines inherent in nature. My inspiration comes from nature and almost all my sculptures depict flora and fauna. Before finding a wire sculpture for myself, I experimented a lot with different techniques and materials, and their combinations. I used origami and papier-mâché techniques, clay, plastic, thread and fabrics. Perhaps the choice of material was influenced by my passion drawing. I’ve been drawing since I was a kid, but for years now my favorite drawing tool has been a regular black ballpoint pen. The line style perfectly reflects my mood and conveys the atmosphere of the object I am drawing. My sculptures are a harmony of lines formed into recognisable images.”
- Nataliia Stativa-Zharko – “Nataliia Stativa-Zharko studied Petrykivka painting from her uncle, F.S. Pankо (Honored Master of Folk Art of Ukraine). Nataliia Stativa-Zharko has a significant creative output. Her works always attract the viewer with both the artistic perfection of the execution technique and the sense of color combined with refined taste. Trying to be honest in creativity. Using the centuries-old heritage of Petrykivka painting, the artist successfully combines traditional motifs and technical possibilities with the search for new figurative lines, modern means for their implementation. In this way, both purely decorative and utilitarian things (wooden dishes, glass, ceramics, furniture) and graphic works (postcards, calendars, etc.) that were printed in Ukraine and abroad are created.”
- Nataliya Petrenko-Litvinova – “Nataliya Petrenko-Litvinova is a professional artist from Ukraine. In connection with the war in Ukraine in 2022, she came to Canada. Now lives in Edmonton, and she continues to work creatively, paints, participates in art exhibitions in Canada and Ukraine and gives Master classes in academic drawing and painting in Edmonton. Nataliya received higher art education at the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine in Kyiv, Master (1989 – 1995). the Since 1995, Nataliya has been a member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine, and since 1998 – a member of Union of Designers of Ukraine. “Painting is my passion, graphics are an inspiration, and graphic design exercises for the mind” is how the artist speaks about her work. For her, it is a completely natural constant desire to master the different genres and directions of visual art. The artist skillfully uses magnificent technique, color, and picturesque strokes to convey emotions and forms. The creative process is an interesting path to new discoveries.”
- Solomia Palanitska – “Solomia was born in Ternopil. She graduated from Lviv National Academy of Art (department of monumental painting), is a participant of many Ukrainian and international exhibitions, and laureate of the international exhibition “ Lviv Autumn Salon”. She has taught painting, drawing, composition, and colour theory at the Ternopil Cooperative College. Solomia arrived in Edmonton in March 2022 and is a proud mother of four daughters.”
- Viktoriia Baranik – “My name is Viktoriia Baranik. I’m a Ukrainian artist and tattooist, and I’ve been living in Canada for the past two and a half years. Art has always been more than just a profession for me — it’s my lifestyle, my voice, and my way of connecting with the world. I work in different mediums, including tattooing, mural painting, and illustration. I love expressing emotions, meaning, and cultural roots through visual language. Sharing my creativity with others brings me real joy, and I believe art has the power to inspire, heal, and unite. For this exhibition, I created a hand-painted egg that symbolizes the strength, spirit, and beauty of this year — the Year of the Snake. To me, the snake represents transformation — letting go of the old and stepping into something new and powerful. This artwork reflects my hope that this year will bring positive change, growth, and inner strength to all of us.”
- Viktoriia Kartashova – “Viktoriia Kartashova is a Ukrainian-born contemporary artist whose work reflects a deep connection with nature and a passion for creative exploration. Now living in Canada, she finds inspiration in the ever-changing sea, majestic mountains, quiet forests, and the vast landscapes around her. Her art also includes a dedicated floral series, where she captures the delicate beauty and emotion of flowers. Viktoriia is known for her experimental approach and love for mixing styles and techniques. While acrylics are her main medium, she frequently blends them with watercolor, colored pencils, oil, and dry brush to achieve unique textures and moods. This openness to mixing materials allows her to shift fluidly between realism and abstraction, softness and energy. The piece she presents for Pysanka 2025 — a hand-painted egg adorned with expressive flowers — embodies this experimental spirit. Created in a mixed media style, it combines fine detail with bold brushwork, merging traditional motifs with a fresh, contemporary touch. Through her evolving artistic voice, Viktoriia Kartashova invites viewers to experience the beauty of nature from a new perspective — one that honors both her Ukrainian roots and her life in Canada.”
- Yaroslava Naumenko – “I was born in Ukraine in a city named Lutsk, which has a very old interesting and great history. Here I studied at the painting school and later on Lesia Ukrainka Eastern European National University at the cathedra of Fine Arts. I don’t decided to become an artist, it always was my life. My parents are also artists in two generations. In 2018 I learned to web design and was working in a few companies. I lived last 3 years in Kyiv city before I moved to Canada in 2022. In 2020 I was amazed by the fluid art technique and started to work a lot on this style of painting. For me anything in this world is not dependable, except art. It is what was, is and will be. I like to change a world around and never stop on the achieved. When I’m painting I focus on creating a specific mood, not just stuff. ”