In 2009, an unprecedented event took place involving the Ukrainian community of Whitney Pier on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Their culture, traditions and history were honoured with the creation of a special exhibit titled A Cape Breton Story of Ukrainian Dance:  From Village to Stage. Presented at the Cape Breton University Art Gallery through the efforts of Dr. Marcia Ostashewski, her colleagues, associates and members of the community, the exhibit depicted the cultural history of Ukrainian dance on the island through interactive elements and treasured artifacts.

Thus began a long-standing collaboration with Dr. Ostashewski of concept design, signage creation and other aspects of art, writing and editing by The Word & Image Studio. The exhibition signature image, below, incorporates a photo of Pavlo Romanovich Yavorsky and Evhenia Yanchak (from page 62 of “Show Them What You Can Do” ~ Building the Ukrainian Spirit Across Canada:  An Illustrated Biography of Pavlo Romanovich Yavorsky; caption dated 9 Nov., 1942, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S.) and features an image of embroidery from Pavlo’s dance costume shirt, which he himself embroidered.

View and/or download 13-page pdf:  “Cape Breton Ukrainian Dance – 70-year Overview”  Exhibit-70YearsCapeBreton13pp

Link to Cape Breton University virtual exhibit: http://culture.cbu.ca/ccbs/Ukrainian_Exhibit.html