«Petrykivka» Folk Art Center
About the Center
The «Petrykivka» Folk Art Center is the principal contemporary hub of Petrykivka decorative painting, operating in the village of Petrykivka, Dnipropetrovsk Region, since 1998. The center is the legal successor of the Experimental Workshop of Petrykivka Painting and continues the traditions of the Druzhba factory, uniting masters of the fourth and fifth generations.
Founding history
After the closure of the Experimental Workshop of Petrykivka Painting in the 1990s, there was a need to create a new institution that would unite masters and ensure the preservation and development of the tradition. In 1998, the «Petrykivka» Folk Art Center was established on the foundation of the workshop. The initiative came from Andriy Pikush — a fourth-generation master who became the center’s director.
Activities
The center performs several key functions for preserving and developing Petrykivka painting:
Creative studio. Leading contemporary masters of Petrykivka painting work at the center. Here they create both traditional decorative items — panels, plates, caskets — and contemporary works that expand the boundaries of the traditional art form.
Education and workshops. The center runs educational programs for children and adults and organizes workshops for visitors from across Ukraine and from abroad. This is a vital link in passing the tradition on to the next generations.
Exhibition work. The center organizes and participates in exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad, promoting Petrykivka painting at the international level.
Heritage preservation. The center maintains a collection of works by masters of different generations, documents painting techniques and methods, and conducts research.
Role in UNESCO recognition
The «Petrykivka» Folk Art Center played a crucial role in preparing the nomination of Petrykivka painting for the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. On December 5, 2013, Petrykivka painting was inscribed on this list — becoming the first Ukrainian item on the list. The center continues to fulfill its commitments to UNESCO regarding the preservation and promotion of this art.
Today
Today, the «Petrykivka» Folk Art Center remains the main hub of the living tradition of Petrykivka painting. Masters of various generations work here; tours, workshops, and educational programs are held. The center is a place where the tradition is not only preserved but continues to evolve, finding new forms of expression in contemporary art.
