The April 11 program of the Salem Historical Society will be presented at the Shaffer Library, 239 S. Lundy Ave. at 7 p.m. Following a short business meeting, folk artist Carol Novosel “My Ukrainian Immigration Story and Fold Art.” Non-members of the society are welcome to attend.

In this lecture guests will learn the immigration story from Western Ukraine to Western Pennsylvania from the early 1900s until today of the speakers family and community using folk art, artifacts and documents.

Novosel’s art is Pysanky- Ukrainian batik egg shells. “Pysanky,” which in the Ukrainian language means “egg that is written on,” uses a batik method of wax and dyes to decorate real egg shells with ancient symbols and colors in both traditional and original patterns. Novosel learned this ancient art form from her mother who learned it from her mother. The children sat at the kitchen table beginning at the age of about 6 and learned how to work with homemade tools and dyes, fresh eggs and melted wax. At age 15 she started giving demonstrations as a guest artist. She finds inspiration in nature’s patterns and light. She also study the history of color — from ancient times to the present — to see what shades were used, when and why they were available, what each hue represented and how pigments were developed. Her art and eggs have been published in books, shown in museums, and displayed proudly in the homes of many. They have been presented to Alex Trebek (the late Jeopardy host), Pittsburgh Steeler owner Art Rooney, former President Bill Clinton, former Gov. Ed Randell and many others. Eggs will be available for purchase; she is raising funds for children in Ukraine.

Contact the Salem Historical Society for information at 330-337-8514.