The Journey 2025: A Touch of Ukrainian Art in Charlotte

In September 2025, I was delighted to return to The Journey exhibition at the Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF), presenting my painting And Still We Rise at the Knight Theater.

Organized by Blumenthal Arts in partnership with International House, the exhibition brought together artists and stories from different cultural backgrounds.

Meet And Still We Rise

Created in the traditional Ukrainian Petrykivka style, And Still We Rise features a symbolic bird surrounded by flowing floral patterns.

In this piece, the bird represents resilience, hope, and new beginnings, while the vibrant flowers and intricate details celebrate the beauty of Ukrainian artistic heritage.

A Little Piece of Ukraine in Charlotte

Petrykivka painting is recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Sharing this tradition with the Charlotte art community was a wonderful opportunity to introduce visitors to an art form where every flower, brushstroke, and bird has its own character.

Visitors were also invited to vote for their favorite artworks, adding an interactive element to the exhibition.