Shkola – “school” in Ukrainian – encompasses all the learning programs at The Ukrainian Museum. Learning here comes in a variety of forms, including arts and crafts workshops and courses, guided exhibition tours, programs designed for children and students, family workshops, and events. The Ukrainian Museum’s learning programs offer participants of all ages engaging ways to connect with Ukrainian culture and the excitement of discovery.
2025 Programs
Courses & Workshops
Lialka-Motanka (Motanka Doll)
The lialka-motanka, or motanka doll, is a symbol of family bonds and a guardian of the family. A motanka is an amulet that serves as protection from harm. The word motanka comes from the Ukrainian verb motaty, which means “to wind,” because this traditional doll is made only by winding, wrapping, and tying various materials — it is never sewn or pierced with a needle. Learn more about these intriguing guardian-dolls and create one for someone special in time for the holidays! Open to participants 16+ years of age.
Instructor: Larissa Raphael
Sunday 16 November
2.00 pm — 4:00pm
PAST COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
Conversational Ukrainian for Beginners (via Zoom)
Would you like to know how to introduce yourself in Ukrainian, talk about your hobbies or your job, ask for directions, order food, and communicate with a friend or with family? Or just learn Ukrainian for fun? Learn important words and phrases in an interactive way, along with rudimentary grammar. Be on your way to speaking Ukrainian in just six weeks with this course, which meets once a week via Zoom for 90 minutes. Zoom meeting links will be emailed to registered participants before each class meeting.
Open to participants 16+ years of age. Instructor: Andriy Zhyvachivskyi
Please register through Eventbrite.
Sundays, 2 – 3:30 pm, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9
Advanced Conversational Ukrainian
Do you speak Ukrainian but find yourself searching for the right words and phrases, and making grammatical mistakes? Would you like to improve your skills and fluency? Be on your way to speaking like a native in just six weeks with this course, which meets once a week via Zoom for 90 minutes. Zoom meeting links will be emailed to registered participants before each meeting.
Open to participants 16+ years of age. Instructor: Andriy Zhyvachivskyi
Please register through Eventbrite.
Sundays, 4 – 5: 30 pm, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9
Embroidery
This eight-class course teaches beginners the rudiments of embroidery while expanding the skills of those proficient in the craft. Participants will explore the history and evolution of styles, techniques, colors, threads, and fabrics traditionally used in embroidery in various regions of Ukraine.
Open to participants 16+ years of age. Instructor: Lubow Wolynetz
Please register through Eventbrite.
Saturdays 1 – 3:30 pm, October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22
Gerdany
This is a six-class course in the art of making gerdany, intricate bead-strung necklaces. Traditionally worn with folk costumes, today these necklaces are increasingly worn for adornment. Participants will explore techniques and characteristics of various regions of Ukraine and make their own gerdany.
Open to participants 16+ years of age. Instructor: Olha Lesko
Please register through Eventbrite.
Saturdays, 10 am – 12:30 pm, October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8
Ukrainian Traditional Easter Baking
During this workshop, participants will bake traditional Easter breads and learn about Ukrainian Easter traditions. Open to participants 16+ years of age. Instructor: Lubow Wolynetz
Saturday 5 April
10.00 am – 1.00 pm
Pysanka: Ukrainian Easter Egg Decorating Workshop
During this workshop, participants will learn the ancient art of making pysanky – Ukrainian Easter eggs. Dyes, beeswax, and a stylus are used to decorate the eggs with traditional Ukrainian designs. Open to participants 13+ years of age. Instructor: Tania Snihur, Alexandra Lebed.
There are eight workshops held over 2 weekends. If you would like to register for a workshop during weekend 1 (on March 29 or on March 30) please see the schedule below and be sure to register for the day and the time of your workshop of choice.
Saturday 29 March
11.00 am – 1.00 pm or 2.00 – 4.00 pm
Sunday 30 March 11.00 am – 1.00 pm or 2.00 – 4.00 pm
Saturday 12 April
11.00 am – 1.00 pm or 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Sunday 13 April
11.00 am – 1.00 pm or 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Ukrainian Christmas Baking & Traditions
This is a workshop with hands-on participation in the baking of traditional Ukrainian Christmas breads. During the class, participants will learn about the customs, traditions, and rituals practiced during this joyous holiday. Open to participants 16+ years of age. Instructors: Lubow Wolynetz & Anna Kolomiyets
Saturday 14 December 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
Ukrainian Christmas Tree Ornaments
Use colored beads, gold- and silver-hued walnut shells, and other materials to make a magical-looking traditional Ukrainian Christmas tree “spider” ornament, and learn about the Ukrainian legend behind this tradition. A very special activity to get you into the holiday spirit. This workshop is open to adults and children 7+ years of age. Instructors: Verkhovynky Plast Kurin
Sunday 15 December 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Petrykivka Folk Art Painting
This Ukrainian art form originated from an ancient tradition indigenous to the heartland of central Ukraine. Characterized by brightly colored floral elements and ornately styled motifs taken from nature, Petrykivka painting was used to decorate interior and exterior adobe whitewashed walls, hearths, furniture, and wooden items. Learn the techniques used to transform ordinary images into a fancifully ornate and authentic-looking Petrykivka folk art painting. Open to participants 16+ years of age.
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Saturday
2024 dates TBA
Baking Traditional Wedding Breads
This workshop offers hands-on training in baking and decorating a korovai (traditional Ukrainian wedding bread). Participants will also learn to adorn the colorful wedding tree hiltse. Open to participants 16+ years of age. Instructors: Bohdanna Slyz, Lubow Wolynetz, Larysa Zielyk
10.00 am – 1.00 pm
Saturday 11 May
Registration and pre-payment are required for all courses and workshops.
2025 Programs for SCHOOLS, Youth, & FAMILIES
Yaroslava & The Ukrainian Village School Program
Ukrainian American artist Yaroslava Surmach Mills was the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants and grew up in NYC’s Ukrainian Village. In this program for grades K – 12, students will take a short walking tour, a block from the Museum, into the heart of the Ukrainian Village to see the places that shaped Yaroslava’s cultural identity and explore the history of the Ukrainian immigrants who built this vibrant community. Students will also find out about the Ukrainian folk art tradition of reverse glass painting through which Yaroslava developed her signature artistic style with lively, whimsical, brightly colored scenes. Students will learn about the history of the area, community building, what shapes identity, what constitutes folk art, and the Ukrainian tradition of reverse glass painting. This will be followed by an art project in which students, inspired by Yaroslava’s work, will create their own reverse glass paintings. This school program is 90 minutes in duration, and the fee is $7 per student. For more information or to schedule this program for your class, please write to kalyna.boychuk@ukrainianmuseum.org or call 212.228.0110, ext. 305.
Yaroslava & “The Mitten” Family Workshop
Ukrainian American artist Yaroslava Surmach Mills grew up in NYC’s Ukrainian Village and became a versatile artist who also illustrated children’s books. She was inspired by the Ukrainian folk art tradition of reverse glass painting and created lively, whimsical, brightly colored scenes. Join us for a family workshop where you will listen to a reading of a book illustrated by Yaroslava which is based on the classic Ukrainian folk tale The Mitten and learn about the Ukrainian folk art tradition of reverse glass painting that inspired her. This will be followed by a fun craft where you will make your own reverse glass painting with characters taken from The Mitten, using softer, more suitable clear plastic sheets. This workshop is for families with children ages 3 – 12. The fee is $7 per family member and $5 per Museum member. More information and registration are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday 9 November
2 — 3:30p
K-12 Guided School Tours
Guided tours are the best way to engage young Museum visitors and inspire interest in exploring art and different cultures. The Museum welcomes school groups for tours of current exhibitions Wednesdays–Fridays during regular Museum hours. The fee for an hour-long tour is $5 per student. To reserve a tour, please contact the Education Department at kalyna.boychuk@ukrainianmuseum.org
Programs and exhibitions are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
