Freedom Salon / Салон Волі

A celebration of Ukrainian art + artists

FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 2, 2025
Opening reception: February 20, 2025
@ The Gallery George (140 West Hastings Street, Vancouver)

Ukrainian art and artists take centre-stage in FREEDOM SALON / Салон Волі, a two-week exhibition that highlights work created since russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. 

Inspired by the European salons of the 19th century – in which artists from all disciplines would gather to share work and ideas – FREEDOM SALON / Салон Волі features the work of Ukrainian artists from a variety of disciplines, including art photography, fashion illustrations, icon paintings, petrykivka, pysanky, sculpture, street art, vyshyvanky (embroidery), vytynanky (papercutting), and war posters. Each work of art included in FREEDOM SALON / Салон Волі is stunning to behold, evocative in its own way, and borne of artistic freedom – “freedom” being a concept that is deeply valued by all Ukrainians, especially during this devastating time in history. 

FREEDOM SALON / Салон Волі also includes a number of artistic workshops and ancillary events (links to registration below) that will highlight the passion and expertise of Ukrainian artists, in Ukraine and abroad; these will include a pysanky workshop, vytynanky workshop, youth-oriented street art workshop, and a special community gathering on February 24, the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion. The opening event (on February 20) will include Ukrainian food, live drawing by illustrator Janelle Knihnitski, a musical performance by Taras Luka, and a vyshyvanka fashion show featuring designs by renowned vyshyvanka designer Tanya Znak.

Some of the artists featured in FREEDOM SALON / Салон Волі were displaced by the war; others are members of the Ukrainian diaspora. Participating artists include Albina Kolesnichenko, Anna Kovalenko, Anna Makeyeva, Dale Mehra (née Kiperchuk), Dmytro Vasylkiv, Janelle Knihnitski, Ira Havuka, Iryna Kalantai, Julia Bozhko, Kateryna Kryvolap, Liza Yablonska-Mykhailus, Masha Weisberg, Nazar Ivashkiv, Nika Kozhushko, Olena Krevenets, Tania Yakunova, Tanya Znak, Veronika Kotyk, Volodomyr Vasylkiv, and more to be confirmed. 

The exhibition itself is free to attend; a small fee will be required for workshops and ancillary events; the majority of the artwork will be available for purchase, with funds raised split between several Ukrainian humanitarian causes. 

REGISTER FOR EVENTS

OPENING RECEPTION
Thursday, February 20, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM
Opening reception includes a vyshyvanky fashion show by internationally renowned clothing designer Tanya Znak, live drawing by fashion illustrator Janelle Knihnitski, Ukrainian jazz performed by Taras Luka, and an array of delicious Ukrainian food.
Price: FREE (pre-registration required)

WORKSHOP: The Delicate Art of Pysanky
Saturday, February 22, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Artist Tanya Znak leads attendees through the delicate process of decorating their own pysanka.
Price: $50 plus fees (pre-registration required)

MASTERCLASS: Visual Storytelling with Illustrator Veronika Kotyk
Sunday, February 23, 12:30 PM-3:00 PM
Celebrated Ukrainian artist Veronika Kotyk leads a fascinating masterclass about visual storytelling. This masterclass is sponsored by Atomic Cartoons.
Price: FREE (pre-registration required)

YOUTH WORKSHOP: Street Art on Canvas
Sunday, February 23, 3:30 PM-6:00 PM
Teen artist Volodymyr Vasylkiv from Lviv leads young attendees through the process of creating their own piece of street art on canvas. This workshop is sponsored by Atomic Cartoons.
Price: FREE (pre-registration required)

FEBRUARY 24th GATHERING: An Evening to Remember
Monday, February 24, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM
On the third anniversary of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we’re extending exhibition hours and inviting the community to join us for gentle music (performed by Taras Luka), Ukrainian art, story-sharing, and the strength and healing that comes from being together.
Price: BY DONATION, in support of supplies for defenders and the Ukrainian Canadian Advocacy Group’s Rehabilitation Program for the Children of Fallen Heroes; (pre-registration required)

WORKSHOP: Introduction to Vytynanky (Ukrainian Papercutting)
Saturday, March 1, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Renowned artist Tanya Znak leads attendees through the process of creating their own beautiful vytynanka to take home.
Price: $65 plus fees (pre-registration required)

Presented by YVR Screen Scene
Community partners: Atomic Cartoons, Ukrainian Canadian Advocacy Group, and Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Vancouver branch.

Interested in sponsoring this highly anticipated exhibition? Drop us a line.