Pysanky eggs began thousands of years ago in pagan times when people worshipped the sun.

They believed that the sun, birds, and eggs were magical. Some legends say the universe was born from an egg. Symbols were written on the eggs as wishes, and the eggs were given as gifts, wishing the recipient positive things such as good health, a strong harvest, long life, love, and happiness. The symbols were later adapted to have Christian meanings. Now, these eggs are Easter eggs, and they are believed to have originated in Ukraine. Each color has a specific meaning as well. Blue, for example, is a symbol of good health derived from life-giving air. The eggs themselves represent rebirth and renewal.

The word “pysanky” means “written eggs” and is derived from the Ukrainian word “pysati,” which means “to write,” as these eggs are written with melted beeswax, and not painted. The eggs are dipped in successively darker dyes; more wax is added at each stage of color to preserve that color. After the egg is dipped in the background color, usually the darkest hue, all of the wax is melted off in a candle flame, and the design underneath is revealed.

Andrea Kulish is first-generation Ukrainian- American and learned to make pysanky from her mother, an art teacher when she was five years old. As a young girl, she sat in on her classes every week and made pysanky.

She has been teaching pysanky for the last twelve years. She taught in Boston for several years and has taught pysanky in Asheville since moving here in 2013. She holds private and group lessons in her studio, Studio A at Pink Dog Creative in the River Arts District. She has also taught at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNCA Asheville, Biltmore Estate, North Carolina Arboretum, Greenville Center for Creative Arts, Roots + Wings Preschool, LEAF’s Easel Rider Mobile Art Truck, as well as at businesses, private homes and summer camps. You may have seen her giving demonstrations at events at Biltmore, the Grovewood Gallery, the Asheville Greek Festival, and the Asheville Easter Festival. She also gives demonstrations most Saturdays at her studio. Three of Kulish’s pysanky are now on their way to Ukraine to be part of the first-ever exhibition of North American pysanky at the Pysanky Museum in Kolomyia, Ukraine. The show will be held during the annual Pysanky Festival there.

Kulish loves to teach and help keep this tradition going. 

(The Easter pysanky workshop season would normally be in full swing; when classes resume they will be open to adults and children over age 10. Students can make traditional designs, or freestyle and make up their own, whether it is geometric or a simple pattern like polka dots. Check her website for updates.)

Andrea Kulish

She is going to start online pysanky classes in April. andrea@AshevilleStudioA.com, or call/text (828) 423-6459. For updates on classes and pysanky visit AshevilleStudioA.com