Don and Kathy Astras demonstrate Lithuanian straw Christmas ornament making techniques The Lithuanian Day Festival at Saints Peter and Paul Parish Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 30, 2016 was a huge success. It attracted exhibitors, families, performers and vendors from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. Don and Kathy conducted Straw Christmas Ornament … [Read more...]
Straw Christmas Ornament Demonstration April 30, 2016
Don and Kathy Astras will demonstrate folk art techniques Enjoy a day of food, music and family fun at the Lithuanian Day Festival at Saints Peter and Paul Parish Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Don and Kathy will conduct Straw Christmas Ornament Demonstrations using wheat and rye straw between 1:30 to 2:00 pm and 3:00 to 3:30 pm. We also will have sample ornaments to … [Read more...]
Ursula Astras Easter Egg Exhibit in Lithuania
Tony Astras and Katrina Meyers visit Vilkaviskio Krasto MuziejusPrieš keletą metų Vilkaviškio krašto muziejų pasiekė siunta iš už Atlanto. Ją atvėrę muziejininkai išvydo nuostabaus grožio dailės darbus, sukurtus iš šiaudų stiebelių. Tai buvo tautodailininkės Uršulės Astrienės (Astras) meno kūriniai.Antrojo pasaulinio karo pabaigoje Uršulė kartu su pabėgėlių iš Lietuvos banga apsigyveno Vokietijos … [Read more...]
2016 Lithuanian Easter Egg Decorating Workshop at Chicago Cultural Center
Sponsored by Chicago Sister Cities Int’l and Balzekas MuseumThe Traditional Lithuanian Easter Egg Decorating Workshop went well according to the sponsors, Ieva Dilyte from Chicago Sister Cities International and Rita Janz and Stanley Balzekas from the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. The students were mainly women, about half of Lithuanian descent. Don Astras gave the three young men more … [Read more...]
Easter Egg Decorating Workshop at Chicago Cultural Center March 6, 2016
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...]