Southcentre Mall

Meet the artists behind 50 pysanky eggs located throughout Centre Court. The artists were supported by pysanky master and lead artist for the campaign, Daena Diduck.

1. Daena Diduck – Since childhood, Daena Diduck has mastered the traditional Ukrainian art of pysanky, learning the intricate craft of decorating Easter eggs—a skill enriched by her education in a Ukrainian bilingual program and deeply rooted in her family’s heritage from Western Ukraine. Her journey took her to the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon, where she shared her knowledge through teaching and showcased her work, furthering her role as a cultural ambassador. Relocating to Calgary in 2005, Daena expanded her impact by teaching in schools, participating in cultural festivals, and demonstrating her art at various community events. Her renowned pysanky have been featured in exhibits from Calgary to Edmonton and even led her to Ukraine as part of a special artist tour. Plans for her to return in 2020 for an exhibition in Kolomyia, aimed at highlighting North American pysanky, underscore her significant contributions to preserving and celebrating Ukrainian art and culture across continents.
2. Anastasiia Khodnia – I am an artist with a unique vision, drawing inspiration from Ukrainian folklore and children’s tales. I create pysanky, illustrations, and vytynanky, blending these traditional art forms into my own distinctive style. My work fuses vibrant colors, traditional narratives, and personal memories—especially the magical stories my grandmother used to tell. Through my art, I strive to capture the beauty and enchantment of Ukrainian traditions, inviting viewers into a world of warmth, wonder, and cultural heritage.
3. Bohdan Shevchenko – Bohdan Shevchenko’s pysanky blend tradition with contemporary artistry, honoring Ukraine’s rich heritage. Born in Vasylkiv, he studied fine arts and now specializes in dryapanka, meticulously etching intricate designs onto goose and ostrich eggs. His works, showcased at festivals and exhibitions, depict nature and architecture with extraordinary precision. A dedicated educator, he shares his craft through workshops. Each pysanka he creates is not just art but a tribute to Ukraine’s resilience, culture, and timeless beauty.
4. Christine Knights – Born and raised in Calgary, with Ukrainian roots on both sides of her family, Christine has been writing pysanky for over 50 years. Her decorated eggs have been on display in private collections and have won several awards, including at the Calgary Stampede. Over the years, Christine has shared her love of Easter egg decorating by teaching students of all ages.
5. Dawna Hawrysh – Dawna is a Canadian-born artist. She has explored many aspects of her Ukrainian heritage over the years. Recently, she has begun to explore using traditional Petrykivka styles in her work.
6. Genevieve Whiteley – I have been writing eggs for the last 20 years. It started as an Easter tradition with my family and quickly became a year-round practice. I work on all sizes of eggs, from the smallest button quail all the way up to ostrich, and everything in between. I also make jewelry out of eggshells using the same techniques.
7. Irene Demchuk – Irene Demchuk’s works reflect her interest in cultural beginnings and the world in which we live. As many of her earlier themes incorporate her Ukrainian heritage, she plans on creating other works that can “cross over” cultural boundaries and speak to others in a way that brings meaning to them personally. Primarily a block printer, her prints often incorporate watercolours to give each piece a life of its own. Recently, Irene has begun incorporating digital graphics into her work.
8. Iryna Parypa – Iryna, a Ukrainian pysanka artist from Ivano-Frankivsk, preserves and advances Ukraine’s rich artistic traditions. A biology and psychology graduate of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, she has exhibited internationally, earning numerous awards, including the Order of Myroslav Antonovych in 2023. Beyond her art, she volunteers as a clinical psychologist, supporting severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Her work embodies both cultural resilience and healing, reminding us that preserving Ukraine’s heritage and supporting its people remain crucial.
9. Iryna Pidburtna – Iryna is originally from Cherkassy, Ukraine, and moved to Calgary in 2019. She learned embroidery, painting, crocheting, and sewing from her mother. Growing up, she was taught to value Ukrainian culture and traditions, which she believes are an important part of love for one’s country and national pride. Through her art, she shares the beauty and strength of her heritage.
10. Lyle Rietze – I like to refer to myself as “Ukrainian by marriage.” I was introduced to pysanky writing by a dear friend and fell in love with the art form. I have embraced this vibrant culture and am an avid supporter of the Ukrainian community.
11. Mirel B – This Ukrainian artist presently resides in the United Kingdom.
12. Morgan J. Tunow – I am a pysanka artist and small business owner based in Lethbridge, Alberta. My work blends tradition with a modern perspective, honoring Ukrainian heritage, storytelling, cultural resilience, and community. I recently completed To Write, an installation of over 500 pysanky, and am dedicated to exploring and sharing the beauty and meaning of this ancient art form.
13. Nadiia Snihur – Hello, and thank you for stopping by! I’m Nadiia, a Boiko from the Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine. I’m full of Carpathian fairy tales and always ready with a good laugh. I’m a translator, PR specialist, electrician, and a proud cat slave. I love making the world brighter every day through my work and more beautiful with my art. My heart longs for my motherland, and this work was created to bring our victory one step closer.
14. Natalia H. – Natalia’s pysanky embody resilience, devotion, and the enduring spirit of Ukraine. Born in Lviv and a lifelong resident of Kyiv, she balanced intellect and artistry, earning a degree in molecular physics before finding true expression in pysanka-making. Forced to relocate in 2022 due to war, she continues creating intricate works as symbols of strength. With a son fighting in eastern Ukraine and her family aiding relief efforts, her art serves as both a tribute and a testament to unwavering perseverance.
15. Olena Kondratiuk – This Ukrainian artist presently resides in Ukraine.
16. Pysanochka – The artists are a husband and wife duo, both of whom are elderly, with deteriorating sight. Both have been pysanky writers for over 35 years. They are located in Ukraine.
17. Taras Voytkiv – Taras Voytkiv came to Calgary in 2016 from Zhydachiv, Ukraine, and has ever since been a key pillar in the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) and the whole Ukrainian community in Calgary. His work to further Ukrainian art, language, and culture has helped build bridges between newcomer Ukrainians and the Canadian communities they now call home.
18. Tetiana Konoval – A well-known pysankarka from the Luhansk region. She is famous not only for her work in reviving traditional folk art in the Luhansk region and for creating over 10,000 pysanky. Tetiana has been displaced numerous times since the initial invasion of Ukraine in 2013. She currently resides in Kyiv and teaches classes to children. Tetiana has written several books and is doing ongoing research to preserve styles of pysanky from Eastern Ukraine.
19. Viktoria Malamura – Viktoria is one of the young lives evacuated to safety by WUNDERfund at the start of the war. A gifted artist, award-winning musician, and dedicated fourth-year electrical engineering student, she was forced to pause her studies due to the impacts of war. She now works in the kitchen of a catering company while giving back through volunteering with WUNDERfund.

Be part of this meaningful cause by visiting us and experiencing the breathtaking display in the lower level of centre court. This year, you can directly contribute through donations for these magnificent pieces, with all proceeds supporting WUNDERfund and the incredible work they do for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

WUNDERfund will be available at the display, selling merchandise from Thursday to Sunday during mall hours. Additionally, merchandise can be purchased at any time from at the following location:

• Motive Art Academy (upper level by Softmoc)