An award-winning artist has held a masterclass for Cumbrian and Ukrainian children in Carlisle.
Kateryna Milovanova hosted the event at the New Waterton Hall on Warwick Square on Saturday.
The children sang a traditional Ukrainian carol to start the event, then painted a festive scene with imagined gifts under the guidance of Kateryna.
Kateryna said: “We painted a piece of new year holidays, where each child imagined their cherished wish in the gifts hidden under the tree.
“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.”
Professor Serge Plotnikov also attended. He previously gave an illustrated lecture at Carlisle Cathedral to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
After the painting, everyone celebrated with a table of Ukrainian food. Kateryna brought two varieties of kutia, a traditional grain dish with honey, present on every Ukrainian table over the festive period.
Kateryna is also improving her English speaking through the ENGin programme and local volunteers helping her improve her business English.
She added: “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.”
She now works in a local architectural practice and will shortly be launching her own commercial art business with the help of ENGin.
