PYSANKY – a.k.a. Painted Easter Eggs with Hanka Robertson

Pysanky (pee-san-key) are decorated eggs created by using a wax resist (similar to batik) method with traditional folk motifs and designs. In this workshop, students will learn how to draw on a whole plain white chicken egg with a special pen (kistka) and melted wax, then dye the egg with special dyes. The drawing and dyeing are repeated several times as each layer of the design is applied until the egg is finished at which time the egg is blown out, the wax removed, and a ribbon is threaded through. The students will receive an egg to work on and a kistka to use. They will share the dyes and other supplies. They will also receive a short history of Pysanky, instructions with an explanation of the process, motifs and pictures for design inspiration, an explanation of the caring for the completed egg, and a container in which to take the egg home. Our teacher, Hanka Robertson, was born in Slovenia and, as a child, learned to make Pysanky from her mother who was born and grew up in the former Czechoslovakia where making Pysanky every Eastertime was a tradition. Making Pysanky became Hanka’s tradition too. The workshop lasts 2 hours and starts promptly at the scheduled time. Children aged 8 and over are welcome. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a participating adult.

For class information or questions, email: ​classes@bristolartmuseum.org