Advanced Pysanka Workshop (Folk Arts@UHEC)

Elevate your pysanky skills with this advanced workshop designed for those ready to expand their craft. In this immersive session, led by egg artist Jenny Santa Maria, will focus on mastering an intricate radial design, exploring advanced techniques to create beautiful gradients, and discovering new ways to refine your artwork.

Participants will be introduced to innovative tools, including the use of pointed Q-tips for spot-removal of dye, allowing for heightened precision in detailing. You’ll also gain hands-on experience with washing back techniques and vinegar etching to add depth and dimension to your designs. Alongside instruction on these methods, Jenny will share exclusive tips and tricks to take your pysanky to the next level.

This workshop is ideal for those who have experience with traditional pysanky and are looking to challenge themselves creatively, learning skills that can transform their approach to this ancient art form. Join us for an afternoon of exploration, community, and craftsmanship as we unlock new potential in the timeless art of pysanky.

Suggested Age: 16+

Jenny Santa Maria is a multifaceted talent as a teaching artist, art coach, and exhibiting artist from Farmingdale, NJ. She has created countless beautiful eggs over the years, many of which have been featured in notable publications, including the Wall Street Journal. She refers to her work as batik eggs, though the process is rooted in the traditional art of pysanky. Her work blends a modern aesthetic with personal symbolism, pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques. While associated with spring, Jenny designs eggs year-round using eggs from her free-range hens and beeswax from her own hives.

Jenny has been teaching pysanky for many years in diverse settings, including museums, galleries, libraries, and artist retreats throughout New England. Her enthusiasm for teaching is matched by her passion for exploring new techniques within this medium. While eggs themselves are ephemeral, she believes that the true art lies in sharing the process, preserving this folk tradition, and empowering others to recognize their own creative potential. These carefully designed workshops foster a sense of shared humanity, encouraging participants to celebrate their cultural heritage while engaging in the creative process. The connections forged through this shared experience are among the greatest gifts that this precious art practice can offer. This meaningful and inclusive environment is a key reason why participants consistently leave her workshops with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the art, the culture, the history, and themselves.

Admission: $50 

Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Time: 6:30 - 9:00 PM 

This is an In-Person Workshop

Workshop will take place at: 
UHEC Library
135 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873

Donations are gratefully accepted.