LOCAL and Ukrainian children were treated to an art masterclass in Carlisle over the weekend.
The event, led by award-winning artist Kateryna Milovanova, took place at The New Waterton Hall in Warwick Square on January 4.
The session began with a traditional Ukrainian carol sung by the children.
Under Kateryna’s guidance, children and adults then painted a festive scene with imagined gifts.
Children paint festive scene (Image: Cumbria Press Agency) “We painted a piece of New Year’s holidays, where each child imagined their cherished wish in the gifts hidden under the tree,” Kateryna said.
“The plot of the picture was not chosen at random – it is a small reminder that happiness is in simple things, such as a peaceful and calm sky, waiting for the holiday and of course in dreams that motivate us to live.”
The event concluded with a feast of Ukrainian food (Image: Cumbria Press Agency) The event concluded with a feast of Ukrainian food, including two varieties of kutia, a traditional dish with honey, present on every Ukrainian table over the festive period.
Professor Serge Plotnikov, who previously gave a lecture at Carlisle Cathedral to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, also attended.
Kateryna, who had to evacuate from Ukraine in 2022, has achieved success with her gallery shows in Ukraine and Newcastle.
She has found inspiration in the Lake District landscape, with her series of Lake landscapes selling internationally.
Kateryna Milanova and Kateryna Sievodnieva both had to flee Ukraine following the outbreak of war. (Image: Cumbria Press Agency)
She is also an award-winning interior designer, currently working for the Unwin Jones Partnership in Carlisle designing hotel interiors across the world.
Kateryna, who is also improving her English through the ENGin programme, praised the community for their ongoing support.
Ukrainian and local children pose with their artworks (Image: Cumbria Press Agency) She said: “The children have taken to speaking English much more easily than the adults.
“We are so grateful for the people of Carlisle taking us to their hearts and helping us learn your language.”
Kateryna will shortly be launching her own commercial art business with the help of ENGin.