The Ukrainian National Museum in Chicago hosted a master class on creating motanka dolls, which are traditional Ukrainian amulets. Olga Verbytska, an artist of decorative and applied arts, teacher, and designer, was the author and host of the event.
This was reported by the Ukrainian National Museum.
On Saturday, May 31, a spring master class on making motanki, ancient Ukrainian amulets, was held at the museum. Olga Verbytska, an artist of decorative and applied arts, teacher, and member of the National Union of Designers of Ukraine, hosted the event.
According to reports, Verbytska demonstrated various types of spring motanki and techniques for making them. In Ukrainian tradition, these dolls serve as symbols of prosperity, protection, and spiritual unity between generations. One particularly interesting part of the class was learning about symbolic motanki mothers with small bundles, or "children," on their chests. Such motanki are considered talismans of family well-being.
After the presentation, participants created their own dolls. All of the dolls were made according to ancient traditions—without needles or scissors—exclusively from fabric and thread with national motifs, ornaments, and embroidery elements. Each finished doll was unique, with colorful clothing, traditional accessories, headdresses, necklaces, and other distinctive details.
"Dolls! They are beautiful!" These were the words the participants of the master class used to describe the process of creating motanki. The event had a warm and inspiring atmosphere, as one would expect when encountering Ukrainian tradition.
The event aimed to teach the technique of creating motanki and to pass on Ukraine's cultural heritage. It also aimed to restore connections with traditions and to support creative self-realization.
"According to folklore, each motanka is created with good and sincere intentions because it is considered a guardian of the home and its inhabitants," the organizers emphasized.
For reference: Olga Verbytska is a renowned Ukrainian decorative and applied artist from Vyzhnytsia in the Chernivtsi region of Bukovina. She is a member of the National Union of Designers of Ukraine and a teacher. She is also a landscape painter and works in artistic weaving and clothing design. She has devoted over 20 years to teaching and has extensive experience teaching at art schools in Ukraine. Verbytska is an active participant in international exhibitions and a member of several Ukrainian women's and arts organizations in the United States. These include the Ukrainian Women's National League of America (UNWLA) and the Union of Women of Ukraine (SUA).
Author: Inna Mikhno