 | Traditional skill/art/craft: Czech and Slovakian Egg Decorating Years Awarded: 2012 Contact Information: Phone: (503)804-0390 Email: danielam@mail.com Website: www.danielam.com |
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
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Q+A WITH THE MENTOR ARTIST
Describe your traditional art.
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Czech and Slovak egg decorating is associated with celebration of Spring and new life. This craft was also connected to Pagan beliefs and later to Christianity and Christ’s resurrection. I have been decorating eggs since 1983 and learned different techniques of the craft.
How did you come to learn this tradition?
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I have originally learned how to decorate eggs with my grandma in the Czech Republic during Easter.
Why is this cultural tradition important to your community?
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The rich egg decorating history offers a unique opportunity to learn about a traditional craft in the context of daily lives and beliefs of our ancestors. The egg symbolizes a new life and appreciation for life in general. The craft connects us to values and customs of the past stimulates our curiosity to research our own ancestral roots. People get inspired to preserve not only their only culture, but to embrace other cultures.
Experience/Honors
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1989-Epcot Center (Walt Disney World) demo
2011-Ellis Island (New York) demo
2012-Czech and Slovak Museum (Iowa) demo
2008, 2009, 2011- Czech and Slovak Genealogy Society Intl.—lectures and demos
1987- present- Made in Oregon—in store demos
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