Decorative Eggs (In-School) - Arts and Heritage St. Albert

Decorative Eggs (In-School)

Division: I + II

Location: In-School

Duration: 1.5 Hours

Activity/Products:

  • In ancient times, eggs symbolized new life and birth. In Ukraine, egg decorating is a treasured art passed down from generation to generation. Pysanky comes from the Ukrainian word “pysaty” meaning “to write”. Designs are written with beeswax on a raw, white egg. Between 2 or 3 successively darker dye baths, more wax writing is added to cover up and preserve each colour in the final design. After the program, adult volunteers can warm eggs in a school oven and wipe off wax to reveal the completed design
  • • Students learn what pysanky is, where it originates, why pysanky designs are created and how to use kystka tools, hot wax and candles safely within the classroom.
  • • NOTE: Teachers booking this program MUST guarantee assistance from adult volunteers to ensure the safety of all students! This program requires the use of open candle flame and hot wax. Our art instructors have the right to cancel this program if your school art room or classroom has multiple tripping hazards, sloped desks or insufficient adult supervision. Safety for your students is our utmost concern
  • • This program is available one month prior to Easter and only two programs per day are offered, one for morning and one for afternoon.

Volunteers: 4–6 recommended
  • Grade 2 Social: Traditions and Heritages across Canada
  • Grade 2 Art: Communicate with visual symbols using a variety of media and techniques
  • Grade 3 Art: Use art to express feelings and ideas; look closely and focus on improvement
  • Grade 4 Art: Develop realistic treatments, refine form and express feelings and ideas
  • Grade 5 Art: Play with shape; use abstraction and distortion; minimize material and effort in
  • Grade 6 Art: Explore more complex art procedures; express themselves and refine artwork
  • Scheduling Requirements:
    Schools must schedule a minimum of two programs on the same day with a lunch break in between. If booking three programs in one day, the school must provide a designated room for classes to rotate through for the full day. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate your in-school program request if these requirements are not met.

  • Teacher-Provided Materials:
    Teachers are responsible for providing access to water, paper towels, and desk coverings.

  • Clay Program Details:
    All in-school and virtual clay programs use air-dry clay, which is less durable than clay bisque-fired at our visual art studios. We are unable to transport clay from in-school programs to our studios for firing. However, if your school has a kiln and a trained technician, we can supply suitable clay for firing on-site at your school.

Click here for information on in school techniques for finishing air dry clay.

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Teacher Feedback

My students loved the field trip. There is a good mix of teaching about the history and hands-on activities.

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Amazing program with a knowledgeable instructor who engaged my students and me too! Thanks so much for offering this field trip.

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