Traditional Weaving Workshop (Folk Arts@UHEC)
Woven sashes are integral to Ukrainian folk costumes called “krayka”, “poyas”, “zapaska” depending on region, this workshop will teach you the basics of band weaving on simple backstrap looms. Learn about identifying regional styles, weaving, color choices, and how to create your own designs using wooden backstrap looms and wool from Ukraine. The workshop is open to adults and teens
Workshop is presented by master weaver Halyna Shepko.
Registration $60
Seating is limited to 10 participants, so register early!
Space is limited-please register ahead.
Class will take place at the Library at
135 Davidson Ave
Somerset, NJ 08873
Questions, contact the UHEC at 732-356-0132 or email education@ukrhec.org
About Halyna Shepko:
Halyna Shepko was born in the Ukrainian East Village in downtown New York City, surrounded by the culture of her heritage, into a family of musical artists. Halyna studied with Susan Barrett Merrill and became a Weaving a Life Circle Leader in 2013. In 2016, she participated in a weaving seminar and exhibit in the Carpathian Mountains learning from village weavers and instructor from Lviv National Academy of Arts, Zenovia Shulha. Halyna Shepko has been weaving and connecting her life with threads since childhood. In 2016, Halyna started her journey on shaft looms and this obsession brought her to opening Mokosh Ukrainian Weaving Center, in fall of 2023 in Gardiner, N.Y. Mission of Mokosh is to share weaving skills and to bring attention to work of Ukrainian diaspora weavers, and the need to have access to books such as Ukrainian Weaving Patterns with Instructions by Doris (Daria) Yanda. Halyna lives in the woods at Shawangunk Ridge Farm in the Hudson Valley with her husband, son, sheep, goats, and chickens, making goat cheese, living off the land, cultivating mushrooms, and processing wool from their sheep. Halyna was one of the founders of Korinya Ukrainian Folk Band with her four children and niece, and group Sopilka with homeschoolers in Ulster County and children from her local Ukrainian community. Halyna teaches weaving classes at The Ukrainian Museum in NYC, runs therapeutic Weaving a Life Circles, has an herbal healing practice, and weaving studio at her farm where she and her family raise Icelandic sheep and Toggenburg goats. She shears and processes the wool herself.