Spring Sip & Shop

Sure, the Easter Bunny brings plastic eggs filled with goodies and sweet treats. But that mythical mammal has nothing on Andrea Kulish, an Asheville artist best known for her Pysanky eggs. A Ukrainian tradition, Pysanky involves decorating eggs with symbols using a wax-resist method. According to Kulish, these symbols represent “good wishes” like health, prosperity, and strength and date back to Pagan times. Of Ukrainian descent, Kulish learned the ancient art form from her mother, who taught Psyanky at her gift shop in Hudson, New York. “I remember sitting quietly in my mother’s workshops every spring, creating Pysanky eggs, and listening to her explain the art and meaning of the symbols to her students,” says Kulish. “I loved making them so much and still do. The melted beeswax smells so warm and comforting, and working with candles — the way people did thousands of years ago — is very special.” Come April, Kulish will offer Pysanky demonstrations during the Spring Sip & Shop at Grovewood Gallery. The event will also include complimentary libations and discounts on American-made crafts. Master gardener and horticulturist Christopher Mello will offer floral-design demonstrations, as well.