Borshch of Art

March is Women's History Month, and we started it on a high note by celebrating artists from Borshch of Art’s Discover Database. On March 8, in collaboration with the UNWLA, Borshch of Art founder Anastasia Gudko gave a talk on five women artists who were pioneers of their time. #LouiseNevelson, trailblazer of environmental art and public art installations #SoniaGechtoff who was among the first Abstract Expressionists known on both West and East coasts #JanetSobel, who was among the first to use the allover technique and inspired Jackson Pollock #LeeKrasner a talented artist, savvy art manager and dealer. After her husband Jackson Pollock's death, she helped cement his legacy #EdithHalpert established the first commercial art gallery dedicated exclusively to the work of living artists, particularly Asian, Black, and Latinx Americans. Halpert helped to shape the field of modernist art not only by promoting artists marginalized by dominant institutions, but also by developing innovative marketing tools targeting middle-income art enthusiasts. Although all those women were unique in their lives and artists' journeys, they shared many similarities, including their connection to Ukraine. We are grateful for UNWLA Honorary Branch 1 and their hospitality, and we thank everyone who spent the afternoon with us.

Today, we think about the future—what is our role, and what legacy will we leave behind? We encourage you to support our fundraising campaign and "Paint a Brighter Future" for the next generation of art historians, critics, curators, museologists, and other bright minds who will receive a fellowship and stipend to research American artists of Ukrainian descent. This video showcases the inspiring moments from our inaugural fellowship presentation held on January 21, 2025, at the Shevchenko Scientific Society. Olenka Tsyhankova delivered a compelling overview of her research paper, "Memory Threads: Ukrainian Crafts Woven into the Tapestry of Contemporary American Art." This paper delves into the work of four remarkable artists who uniquely blend and reinterpret Ukrainian crafts in their artistic practices: Ola Rondiak’s captivating Motanka sculptures, Paul Wirhun’s intricate pysanky and eggshell mosaics, Ilona Sochynsky’s vibrant traditional color palette, and Katrina Majkut’s thought-provoking cross-stitched political messages. Support Borshch of Art's Fellowship Fund — your donation can make a meaningful difference today! https://lnkd.in/eREamhrg

In collaboration with the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Borshch of Art invites you to celebrate International Women’s Day. Anastasia Gudko will share stories of American artists of Ukrainian descent, focusing on women featured in the Discover Database, the first platform to celebrate the Ukrainian origin of renowned American artists and highlights overlooked talent. Join us to learn about the often humble yet impactful creatives who have played a significant role in the Abstract Expressionist movement and who are finally receiving the recognition they deserve. Gudko will discuss the life stories, artistic triumphs, and challenges of Janet Sobel, Louise Nevelson, Lee Krasner, Sonia Gechtoff, and the prominent gallerist Edith Halpert, all of whom have made a lasting impact on the American art canon. ? Date: Saturday, March 8; 2-4 pm Location: Ukrainian National Women's League of America, Honorary Branch 1 Address: 203 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003 RSVP link: https://lnkd.in/g9wgD4NY?

This week, members and friends of Borshch of Art experienced an inspiring visit to the Renee & Chaim Gross Foundation, the historic home and studio of American sculptor Chaim Gross (1902-1991) and his wife, Renee Gross (1909-2005). We delved into Gross’s life and artistic journey, exploring the studio and the extensive, diverse art collection he amassed throughout his remarkable lifetime. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Brittany Cassandra, the Director of Collections, for her enlightening tour, and to Sasha Davis, the Executive Director, for their generous hospitality. Thank you to all the attendees who joined us on this enriching journey!

We are grateful to be featured in The Art Newspaper. Thank you,?Sophia Kishkovsky, for including our founder's voice in your article?"Three years on from Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s art world figures are keeping up the fight for their country’s culture"?published on February 24, 2025. Anastasia Gudko

????The new cycle of the Ukrainian-American Arts Research Fellowship is open for application.? The deadline to apply is ??Friday, February 28 ?11:59 PM During the 12-week program, Fellows will be tasked with writing papers about artists’ legacies and artistic practice and will explore connections between artists, creating new exploration angles and building academic knowledge. Upon successfully completing the program, the Fellow gets a $500 stipend and the opportunity to present the research publicly. Check out the full program description, application guidelines, and eligibility via the link: https://lnkd.in/ecZ7tVkU

??NEW PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT! Discover the hidden gem of Greenwich Village: the home and studio of renowned sculptor, artist, teacher, and mentor, Chaim Gross (1902-91). Borshch of Art invites you on an exclusive, intimate tour limited to just 15 guests. Led by the Executive Director of the Renee and Chaim Gross Foundation, this hour-long journey offers a unique glimpse into the prolific life of a 20th-century master. Explore three floors of the historic LaGuardia Place building, from Gross's ground-floor sculpture studio and gallery to the Foundation's special exhibition space. Of particular interest is the meticulously preserved third-floor living quarters, showcasing the Grosses' extraordinary private collection. Imagine yourself surrounded by works by Marsden Hartley, Willem De Kooning, Milton Avery, Jacob Lawrence, and more, alongside the artist's own cherished African, Pre-Columbian, Oceanic, and decorative arts collections– all arranged as Chaim Gross himself intended. ??Wednesday, February 26, 2024 ?6:30 - 7:30 PM ?? 526 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY 10012 ??GA $40; BoA Members $30 ?? RSVP https://lnkd.in/eCvfbMrh

We were delighted to see so many people in the room for our inaugural Ukrainian-American Arts Research Fellowship presentation on January 21st. The strong attendance on a freezing cold night, was confirmation of our mission’s relevance and the need to bring stories of Ukrainian-American artists to the surface. The night was truly special on many levels. Although our organization, Borshch of Art, started operations less than a year ago, we have already accomplished much, including launching this unique fellowship program that allows scholars to thoroughly study the Ukrainian roots of American art. We thank Shevchenko Scientific Society (USA), Vasyl Makhno, and Anastasiia Denysenko for hosting our program. We also want to thank the Borshch of Art advisory board and board members, who helped design the program and set our Fellow up for success. A big thank you goes to our early donors who contributed to the Fellowship fund and, of course, to the stars of the night: our Fellow,?Olenka Tsyhankova, and her Mentor, Ksenia Nouril, PhD. Photos by: Anstastasiia Krasheninni @photo.krasheninni

Dear colleagues and friends, Next Tuesday, January 21, Borshch of Art is hosting the first public program of 2025 - Presentation of the Fellowship Research. It will be a conversation?between?Olenka Tsyhankova?and her mentor,?Ksenia Nouril, PhD. During the presentation, they will reflect on the experience, share the methodology and behind-the-scenes parts of the research, present findings highlights, and discuss the importance of studying Ukrainian-American artists as part of the decolonization efforts. About the research: This research paper focuses on the dialogue and intersections of tradition and contemporary art. I highlight four artists that reimagine and engage Ukrainian crafts in their practice: from Ola Rondiak’s Motanka sculptures and Paul Wirhun’s reimagined pysanky and eggshell mosaics to Ilona Sochynsky’s traditional color palette and Katrina Majkut’s cross-stitched political messages. The article highlights how Ukrainian crafts can be woven into the tapestry of contemporary art and rethinks the meaning of Ukrainian heritage and its presence in the global art context. When:?Tuesday, January 21, 6-8 pm Where:?Shevchenko Scientific Society, 63 4th Ave New York, NY 10003 RSVP?and more info?https://lnkd.in/eGjhRN3y I hope to see you there!

Borshch of Art invites you to an inspiring presentation of the research conducted by Olenka Tsyhankova during her Fellowship. Be among the first to discover the highlights of her groundbreaking paper, "Memory Threads: Ukrainian Crafts Woven into the Tapestry of Contemporary American Art," before its publication. Olenka will engage in a meaningful dialogue with her mentor and advisor, Ksenia Nouril, PhD sharing reflections on their program experience and the vital importance of researching and documenting Ukrainian-American arts and culture. The evening will culminate in a celebratory toast honoring the fellowship participants and their invaluable contributions to art history. Date: January 21, 6-8 pm Location: Shevchenko Scientific Society, 63 4th Ave, NY, NY 10003 RSVP required (https://lnkd.in/eA5utRFW)