About Artist Beth Ostapiuk

I made my first Pysanka at about the age of about 10 after receieving a kit from my parents. I never thought about them much until I married into a Ukrainian family and was incouraged by my inlaws to make them. In 1986, I moved to California and was delighted that there was a market for Pysanky at the Gallery 912 1/2 in Santa Maria. I participated in their "Eggstravaganza" show for several years. I got very involved in raising my four boys and Pysanky making had to be put on the back burner again for awhile. Later I attended Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, for my AA in Art, Liberal Arts and (Almost )Graphic Arts Degrees. I discovered an insatiably rewarding passion to teach art to children, especially art history and multi-cultural art. I taught art to kids for many years at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, for Arts Outreach in Los Olivos, as well as private summer and after school classes in my home. i enjoy painting in watercolor, acrylic and oils. Currently I teach Pysanky Egg Classes thru Hancock Community Ed, and Children's art classes thru Santa Maria Rec & Parks, Nipomo Rec and Town Center Gallery in Santa Maria.