The Ukrainian Museum celebrates 30th anniversary, thanks supporters (12/24/06)

The Ukrainian Museum celebrates 30th anniversary, thanks supporters

by Helen Smindak

NEW YORK - Anniversaries and birthdays call for congratulations, compliments and gifts, and the custom was followed to the letter at a gala luncheon celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Ukrainian Museum in New York.

It was hats off and a deep bow to the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, which founded the museum in 1976, and to Iwanna Rozankowskyj, then president of the UNWLA, who was in the forefront of a group of members eager to develop a museum, using as a nucleus a collection of Ukrainian folk art materials purchased for display at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago.

Thanks and gratitude - an exuberant refrain that echoed through luncheon proceedings at Manhattan's Essex House on November 19 - went to leading benefactors Eugene and Daymel Shklar of California and the Selfreliance Ukrainian Federal Credit Union in New York, as well as to all contributors, executive board members, the museum director, curators, administrative staffers and volunteers. They were hailed for an incredible achievement: the creation of a Ukrainian cultural center in a world center of culture.

Plaques were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Shklar for their generous contribution of $2.5 million to the building fund and a $1 million Challenge Grant; Selfreliance President Bohdan Kekish, for a $500,000 financial endorsement from the credit union; and Iryna Kurowycky, president since 1999 of the organization that founded the museum.

In the absence of Mr. and Mrs. Shklar, their plaque was accepted on their behalf by Olha Hnateyko, president of the museum's board of trustees. At the request of Mrs. Hnateyko, who presided with charm and good humor over luncheon ceremonies, past President John Luchechko obligingly read out the names of donors and the messages of gratitude inscribed on the plaques.

Acknowledging the plaque presented to the UNWLA, Mrs. Kurowycky singled out three Soyuz Ukrayinok members for special recognition. They were Ms. Rozankowskyj, who promoted the creation of a Ukrainian museum; Alexandra Riznyk, the first president board of trustees who brought many Ukrainian women from the first immigration into the fold; and Mrs. Hnateyko, for "all of her accomplishments" as board president.

Awards of recognition went to Julian and Maria Baczynsky, Myron and Olha Hnateyko, Dr. Wolodymyr and Anna Rak, and Wasyl Sosiak, as donors of over $100,000. Donors in this category who were not present to receive their awards were Dr. Omelan Antonovych, Jaroslawa Gudziak, Borys Halahan, Dr. Yar W. Mociuk, Arkadi Mulak-Yatzkivsky, and Dr. Stephan and Tamara Tymkiw.

It was announced that donors of over $100,000 who have passed away and will be recognized for their generosity are Dr. Mary Beck, Prof. Michael Kuczer, Drs. Julian and Myloslawa Salisnjak, Dr. Oksana Folwarkiw, Ostap and Ursula Balaban, and the SPK Trust Fund.

Tatiana Tershakovec received an award of recogition for many years of service on the executive board of trustees. Maria Shust, the museum's administrative director since 1976, and her hard-working staff were honored with floral tributes.

An influential guardian

Guest speaker Dr. Oleh Shamshur, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, described The Ukrainian Museum as "an influential guardian of artistic and cultural treasures representing the past and contemporary Ukraine, which are so important and so dear to millions of Ukrainians, no matter where they live."

He noted that the museum's activities and exhibitions are especially important since world interest in Ukraine, its culture and people increased so dramatically over the span of a few years.

Dr. Shamshur said the museum's location in New York provides it with excellent opportunities to carry the voice of Ukraine across many borders through the United Nations and scores of visitors.

"Your work is known and treasured in Ukraine," Dr. Shamshur said, pointing to important expositions which have won the attention of the public and press outside the Ukrainian community - the museum's inaugural exhibition of works by acclaimed artist/sculptor Alexander Archipenko, and its current exhibition, "Modernism in Ukraine 1910-1930," with over 70 exponents that include works by world-famous artists Konstantin Malevich, Alexandra Exter and David Burliuk.

Ukraine's enduring spirit of liberty, justice and democratic values has prevailed to a great extent, Dr. Shamshur opined, thanks to the efforts of Ukrainian communities abroad, who have preserved Ukrainian culture and traditions, and have established and developed institutions like the Ukrainian Museum outside Ukraine.

This spirit inspired the creation and continues to live in The Ukrainian Museum, he said. "I am sure this very spirit will guide us into the future, where Ukraine will affirm itself as a democratic, prosperous nation, a reliable and important partner of the United States and other freedom-loving nations."

At the conclusion of his remarks, Dr. Shamshur presented an Award of Recognition plaque to The Ukrainian Museum from the Embassy of Ukraine to the United States which expressed the ambassador's special recognition and grateful appreciation "for The Ukrainian Museum's outstanding work in bringing the best of Ukrainian art and culture to the American people."

Three decades of change

In her welcoming address, Mrs. Hnateyko called attention to the changes that the museum has enjoyed in the past three decades - it has grown considerably, its collections and programs have expanded, and it has a beautiful new home.

What has not changed is its mission to preserve and protect the cultural legacy of the Ukrainian community for Ukrainians today and for future generations, she said.

"On that we are focused more than ever," Mrs. Hnateyko declared in her emotionally charged address. "A review of our current exhibition in The New York Times refers to our museum as 'ambitious.' And that is true - our ambition is to be the best possible representative of the wealth and beauty of Ukrainian culture. Our ambition is to repeat our successes tenfold for the benefit of our community."

She noted that the museum is looking forward to new opportunities and meeting new challenges as it enters a new decade, and will reach these goals "with your continued and generous support."

In turn, Ms. Shust told the gathering that "our institution has been built on a strong foundation of the good will of many people - our board members, curators, volunteers and contributors. An institution with such a strong foundation can only have a bright future."

During the afternoon, guests were inspired to contribute or pledge donations to the museum that amounted to $150,000.

Orest Temnycky, handling emcee duties with aplomb, introduced Ukrainian government officials: Mykola Kyrychenko, consul general of Ukraine in New York, and his wife, Olena; Ambassador Valeriy Kuchinsky, former Permanent representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, and his wife, Alla; and Yurij Onischenko, counselor to the permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, and his wife, Natalia Slavynska.

Adding a flourish to the afternoon's exhilarating program, Canadian-born jazz pianist John Stetch offered inimitable interpretations of Ukrainian folk melodies - "Zabava," based on Ukrainian folk tunes and "some melodies that I made up that sound Ukrainian" - and "Famine," a free improvisation dedicated to the millions of Ukrainians who died as a result of Stalin's man-made Famine in 1933.

Mr. Stetch also performed a ballad, introducing it as a piece he composed in honor of the 90th birthday of his grandmother, Savella Stechishin, author of the classic book on Ukrainian cooking, "Traditional Ukrainian Cookery." His final work was a Kolomyika fantasy, an arrangement of folk songs played at dances and similar events, suggesting a futuristic Kolomyika that becomes faster, more daring, more virtuosic and louder as it proceeds.

Museum beginnings

Thirty years ago, UNWLA executive officers and members could not have foreseen that their initiative would result in a museum that has become a cultural mecca for Ukrainians in the United States - an institution that collects and preserves Ukrainian folk art and fine arts (now embracing over 30,000 items); assembles a collection of archival materials; organizes exhibits of Ukrainian folk arts and exhibitions of work by famous Ukrainian artists; offers classes, workshops and lectures on Ukrainian folk crafts; and publishes a bilingual, illustrated catalogue with each major exhibition.

Several museum exhibits have traveled throughout the United States, and some have toured museums and cultural institutions in Canada and Ukraine.

For most of its existence, the museum shared quarters with the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America in a four-story building on Second Avenue in the East Village of New York City. During those years, conscientious work, perseverance, intensive planning and generous community support enabled museum officials to raise the $7.6 million needed to establish a new museum facility.

The three-story museum that opened on East Sixth Street in 2005 provided space for treasured collections of folk art, fine arts and archival material, as well as modern office facilities, galleries, workshops and a gift shop, heralding a new phase in the development of The Ukrainian Museum.

No Ukrainian celebration would be complete without the traditional singing of "Mnohaya Lita." Led by Mrs. Hnateyko, guests and hosts raised voices at the close of the afternoon in a resounding tribute to The Ukrainian Museum.

| Home Page |