Sponsored by Chicago Sister Cities and Balzekas Museum Join the Vilnius Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International and the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture at a Traditional Lithuanian Easter Egg Decorating Workshop to learn the ancient art of decorating eggs using the etching technique. This annual workshop, usually held at the Museum, has become increasingly popular and … [Read more...]
Ursula Astras, Lady of Wheat, Featured in Bridges: Lithuanian-American News Journal
Lady of Wheat: Transforming Folk Art into Fine Art Don Astras worked with Terese Vekteris, editor of Bridges: Lithuanian-American News Journal to produce a feature article about Ursula Astras, Lady of Wheat, who transformed folk art into fine art. The article will appear in the November/December 2015 issue of Bridges: Lithuanian-American News Journal on pages 3-4. It includes … [Read more...]
Ursula Astras’ Straw Christmas Ornaments at Meijer Gardens
Christmas and Holiday Traditions around the World Exhibition 11/24/15 to 1/3/16 Christmas and Holiday Traditions around the World Exhibition at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park features more than 40 international trees and displays including Ursula Astras straw Christmas ornaments on the Lithuanian tree. This year, the tree was decorated by Loretta and … [Read more...]
Astras Family History at Balzekas Museum
Astras Family The following questionnaire was submitted by Stanley Astras Currier, whose late grandmother, folk artist Uršulė Astras, taught traditional Lithuanian Easter egg etching classes for many years at the Balzekas Museum, served as the Museum’s Folk Arts Director. Her masterful Easter eggs are on display in the Museum’s Women’s Guild Room. Stanley writes: “The … [Read more...]