Local studio using art to support Ukraine
As the gut-wrenching war in Ukraine wears on, those who want to help are using their unique skills and talents to raise money for civilians suffering at the hands of Vladimir Putin and his troops.
So the owners of Spring Street Studios in Zelienople latched onto an idea from social media to offer workshops in which customers create a sunflower on a glass pane — a project deemed Sunflowers For Ukraine. All profits will go to the Red Cross in its efforts to assist civilians in Ukraine.
A local foundation, which chooses to remain anonymous, will match all funds raised in the project, said Elizabeth Fortunato, who co-owns Spring Street Studios with Renee Ayers.
Potential artists interested in the studio’s Sunflowers For Ukraine project can drop in any time between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays or call to arrange a group sunflower session for four or more, Fortunato said.
Customers can choose a 6-inch by 6-inch or an 8-inch by 8-inch pane of glass and decorate it with their own unique sunflower for $30 or $40, respectively.
Fortunato said customers receive pieces of glass to create petals and multicolored sprinkles of glass to give the sunflower texture. Each individual adds his or her own special artistic flare.
“It’s really up to the people to create the designs they like,” Fortunato said.
To ensure a spot will be available to create a sunflower, she recommends customers call or visit the studio’s website, thespringstreetstudios.com, before coming in to check that a class has not been booked at the time they plan to arrive.
She said quite a few groups have come to create sunflowers, and many have dropped in to participate.
“We’ve had a good response already,” Fortunato said. “I think people are looking for a way to contribute and this is a nice way to do it, plus you get to take your artwork home and enjoy it.”
Sunflowers For Ukraine will last through April 30, but Fortunato is looking forward to a recent collaboration with the Pittsburgh Glass Center in which take-home sunflower mosaic kits will be available at Spring Street Studios.
The kits, at a cost of $35, will be provided by the Pittsburgh Glass Center, and all profits will go to a Ukrainian charity, Fortunato said.
“Those are really fun because you can do it all at home,” she said.
Fortunato said she hopes significant funds are raised for the people of Ukraine, many of whom are facing a desperate situation.
“Seeing the images is so powerful,” she said.
Spring Street Studios can be reached at 724-473-4899.
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