Threads of Identity: The Lemko Gorset

About this event

Threads of Identity: The Lemko Gorset

Threads of Identity: The Lemko Gorset opens Friday, November 20! Pop in the gallery between 5pm to 8pm for a celebration of Ukrainian textile arts featuring Ukrainian food, jewelry, embroidery, and the unveiling of artist Lesia Shuldak’s g orset , a richly decorated traditional Lemko garment. Through her intricate embroidery and beadwork, Shuldak seeks to preserve ancestral techniques and celebrate the cultural heritage of the Lemko people who were some of the earliest Ukrainian refugees to settle in New York State.

Opening Celebration: November 20, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Ukrainian Stamping Activity: December 18, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

On view during gallery hours, Mon-Sat 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sun 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

About the Artist

Lesia Shuldak (Kowyk)

Born and raised in Ukraine, she moved to the United States in 2016. An entrepreneur, Ukrainian language instructor, solo hiker, avid reader, and volunteer with 518 Ukrainians, she has a lifelong passion passed down through generations of women in her family: embroidery.

She loves creating beautiful, unique clothing and home décor inspired by the traditions of specific ethnic groups and regions of Ukraine. Learning new embroidery techniques and stitches excites and inspires her, allowing her to explore the artistry and cultural significance of traditional craftsmanship.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and the full-scale war in 2022, her interest in preserving Ukrainian culture has grown even stronger. As she learned more about the Ukrainian-American diaspora in the Capital Region of New York, her passion for exploring her Lemko heritage on her father’s side deepened. She discovered that information about Lemko culture is scattered across various sources, with particularly limited resources available in English.

Driven by a desire to reconnect with her roots and preserve her ancestral traditions, she is passionate about researching Lemko culture and creating unique garments inspired by this regional heritage. Through her work, she hopes to help ensure that these traditions are passed on to future generations while contributing to the rich cultural diversity of the United States.

Artist Statement

Exploring the beauty of traditional Lemko embroidery through the creation of a traditional vest, or gorset, preserving ancestral techniques and passing Ukrainian folk art on to future generations.

The project explores the beauty of traditional Lemko embroidery through the creation of a traditional vest, or gorset , adorned with intricate stitches and decorative beads. It celebrates the cultural heritage of the Lemko people, who were among the earliest Ukrainian refugee communities to settle in New York State. By preserving ancestral embroidery techniques and traditional craftsmanship, this project honors the resilience, regional identity, and artistic legacy of the Lemko community as part of Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage. It also explores ways to incorporate traditional ethnic elements into contemporary everyday fashion, helping keep Ukrainian folk art alive and relevant for future generations.

Hours and Location

The exhibit can viewed whenever the New York Folklore Shop and Gallery are open.

New York Folklore is located at 129 Jay Street, Schenectady, on the Jay Street Marketplace pedestrian mall.

The gallery is fully wheelchair accessible with a foldout ramp.

The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10AM to 4PM, and Sundays 10AM to 2PM.

Please call 518-346-7008, email at info@nyfolklore.org for additional information.

Parking in downtown Schenectady is free on weekends and after six. Paid street and lot parking is available other times.

From New York Folklore