2021 Balzekas Museum Straw Ornament Workshop Grateful participants at our Straw Ornament Workshop at the Balzekas Museum gave high praise to Don and Kathy Astras. Participants created traditional Christmas straw ornaments during our Straw Ornament Making Workshop at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski Road, in Chicago on November 20, 2021. Lithuanian Christmas tree … [Read more...]
Lithuanian Christmas Tree 2020 Exhibit at Meijer Gardens
Lithuanian Christmas tree features Ursula Astras’ handmade ornaments Although all of our folk art workshops for this year were cancelled due to the Corona virus stay at home orders, Frederik Meijer Gardens was able to open its annual Metro Health Christmas and Holiday Traditions exhibition. Meijer Gardens’ theme this year focuses on the handcrafted symbols of beloved holiday … [Read more...]
Teachers Learn How to Etch Easter Eggs
Lithuanian Educational Council of the US teachers take Folk Art Classes at Camp Dainava Donatas Astras conducted Egg Decorating workshops for the Lithuanian Educational Council of the US at Camp Dainava in August 2019. During Sendraugiu Week at Camp Dainava, which included families, seniors and teachers, Don taught the seniors and teachers, how to etch Easter eggs. The teachers, … [Read more...]
Don Astras’ Drawings Available on FineArtAmerica.com
Native American Collection Don Astras enjoys drawing Native Americans because of their noble history and culture. In 2017, Don had visited the Edward S. Curtis exhibit at the Muskegon Art Museum. Curtis became one of the most well-known photographers of his time, especially of North American Indians. Don’s drawings are based on Curtis’ photogravures. The first three drawings of Native … [Read more...]
Ateitininkai Make Straw Ornaments
Summer 2017 Workshop at Franciscan Guest House at Kennebunk Monika Sabalis of the Ateitis Foundation invited Don and Kathy Astras to participate in the Ateitininku Sendraugiu Savaite to make straw ornaments at the Franciscan Guest House in Kennebunk, Maine. In their workshop on August 9, 2017, Don and Kathy taught how to make these beautiful, Lithuanian straw Christmas ornaments. In … [Read more...]