Saturday, April 5, 2025
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Free for all Museum membership levels
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED by Friday, March 21, 2025

Glencairn Museum members are invited to an exclusive first look at Rushnyky: Sacred Ukrainian Textiles, a traveling exhibition showcasing the beauty and cultural significance of Ukrainian embroidered cloths. In almost any Ukrainian home, the family icons—and more recently, family photographs—would be draped with rushnyky, offering protection to the family, home, and village. These cloths appear in all family rituals: infants are wrapped in them at birth, and they play a central role in betrothal and wedding ceremonies. 

The morning will include an illustrated talk by Tania Diakiw O'Neill, who has devoted decades to exploring the techniques, traditions, and cultural significance of Ukrainian embroidery. Born in a city in western Ukraine to ethnically Ukrainian parents, Tania became a war refugee at the age of two. After World War II, she immigrated to the United States as a young child and grew up in Philadelphia. Her passion for Ukrainian textiles inspired her to write a bilingual how-to book, Ukrainian Embroidery Techniques – Українські Стіби, showcasing over 100 traditional stitches.

Guests will also enjoy catered refreshments, time to explore the exhibition, and access to the Museum’s first floor.

Glencairn Museum is proud to host this traveling exhibition from the Icon Museum and Study Center in Clinton, Massachusetts. The exhibition features rushnyky and related artifacts from the collection of Franklin Sciacca.

Not a member yet, or need to renew or upgrade your membership? Visit our Membership page to join today and take part in this event.

We look forward to welcoming you!