By 1808Delaware
On a Saturday afternoon just before Easter, a quiet room at the Community Library in Sunbury will fill with candlelight, melted beeswax, and careful hands. What looks at first like a simple craft workshop is, in reality, something much older and more deliberate. Each line drawn onto an egg carries meaning. Each color is chosen with purpose.
On Saturday, March 28 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, participants will have the chance to learn the art of pysanky, the traditional Ukrainian method of decorating eggs using a wax-resist dye technique. The session will be led by instructor Natalia Daw and is open to adults and teens, with space limited to 20 participants.
More Than Decoration
Pysanky are not painted. They are written. The word comes from the Ukrainian verb meaning “to write,” and that idea shapes the entire process. Using a heated stylus called a kistka, participants apply beeswax to the egg in stages. The egg is then dipped into progressively darker dyes, with each layer of wax preserving earlier colors. When the wax is finally melted away, the full design emerges, often intricate and surprisingly precise.
A Tradition With Deep Roots
Long before Christianity reached the region, decorated eggs were symbols of the sun and the return of life after winter. Over time, those meanings blended with Christian symbolism tied to Easter and resurrection.
The designs reflect that layered history. Crosses and triangles may represent faith and the Holy Trinity. Plants and animals suggest growth and renewal. Even the colors carry meaning. Yellow evokes the sun and harvest. Green points to spring. Red stands for love and joy. Black, often used as a background, represents eternity and the earth.
A Living Cultural Practice
Today, pysanky are made around the world, but they carry particular weight in the context of Ukraine’s recent history. For many, the act of creating them has become a quiet expression of resilience and hope. That connection is reflected in the event itself. The $25 registration fee includes all materials and a donation to US Together, an organization that supports refugees and immigrants seeking safety and stability in Ohio.
What To Expect
Participants will be provided with two eggs, a candle, stylus, beeswax, and access to a range of dyes. No prior experience is required, though a willingness to slow down and focus will go a long way. Organizers suggest dressing for a bit of mess. Bringing snacks is optional, but likely welcome over the four-hour session.
Registration and payment must be completed by Saturday, March 21, either online or in person through the Community Library. Given the limited number of seats, waiting until the last minute is not a great strategy.
A Different Kind of Afternoon
There is something quietly compelling about this kind of program. It is hands-on without being rushed, creative without being casual, and rooted in a tradition that has endured for centuries. For a few hours on a late March afternoon, participants will not just be decorating eggs. They will be taking part in a practice that has carried meaning across generations, one careful line at a time.
