Born in Edmonton, AB, and having graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Art & Design (’81) from the University of Alberta, Larisa has become an accomplished Canadian artist. The bold and colourful work she produces, demonstrates a unique artistic style that has enabled her to enjoy a busy professional life. Larisa’s major sources of inspiration come from folklore and textile images, as well as music, dance, and the brilliant colour schemes from her garden and her Ukrainian heritage. The bold and colourful work she produces demonstrates a unique artistic style that has enabled her to enjoy a busy professional life.  She dedicates herself to creating commissioned works as well as producing theme based collections.   Major collections include:  Flowers of the Americas (1996) Flowers of the Bible (2000), Celebrating Women (2005), and Dance Me…Inspired by the works of Leonard Cohen (2008).

The impact of Larisa’s art has reached deeply into the community. Dramatic imagery, combining reflections with poignant social statements on relevant historical moments, environmental beauty, cultural influences and identities, has brought her international attention and acclaim.  Her works can be found in collections across Canada, throughout South America, Australia and Europe.

Larisa recently returned to university life and has enrolled in a Masters’ program in Ukrainian Folklore in the department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies at the University of Alberta, specializing in material culture (textiles). Her research will culminate with an exhibition of new works in the spring of 2016.
Artist’s Statement
“Painting is my way of storytelling. I create images that are inspired by the things I see, read and experience. My strongest sources of inspiration come from music and dance, as well as the brilliant colour schemes and symbolic items from my love of gardening and my Ukrainian heritage.

True to the influence of my grandparents and parents, I am also an innovator. I love to experiment with the mediums I use to stretch the boundaries of watercolour; exploring unusual compositions and the sculptural/textural qualities of the paints and paper that I have on hand.”

Artist Credentials:

PRESENTATIONS/LECTURES

• 2016 – Winter Term – UAlberta – MLCS 204 – Forms of Folklore – Special Topic “Ukrainian Canadian Embroidery – Folk Art or Fine Art?”
• 2012, 2013, 2015 – UAlberta – MLCS 204 – Forms of Folklore – Special Topic “Visual Art & Folklore”
• 1996 – Guest Lecturer – Inaugural BFA Design class – University of Los Andes – Merida, Venezuela

SECONDARY & ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARTIST IN RESIDENCY

• 2017 – A.L Horton School – Vegreville, AB
• 2013 – Present   University of Alberta USchool Program
• 2013 – Collaboration with aboriginal storyteller/author – David Bouchard
• 1998 – Present – Artist in Residence
  Edmonton Public Schools – Regular, Ukrainian, and Aboriginal Programs
  Edmonton Catholic Schools – Ukrainian Program
  Norquest College – Guest Instructor ESL Program
• 2003-04 – Saskatoon Ukrainian Bilingual Program – Guest Artist in Residence
• 2003-05 – Winnipeg Ukrainian Bilingual Program – Guest Artist in Residence

PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS/GUEST LECTURES AND TOURS

• “Creating a Sense of Place One Stitch at a Time: The role of embroidered pillows in the Ukrainian
• Canadian community” – Transcending Connections 2018, MLCS Graduate Student Conference, University of Alberta (February, 2017).
• “Images of Faith, Hope, and Beauty”, Presentation and Tour, Enterprise Square: Kule Folkore Centre (January 2018).
• “Past Imperfect – The Ukrainian Canadian Experience” Guest Lecture and Tour, Art Gallery of Alberta: ACUA (Aug/Sept 2017).
• “Five Waves of Inspiration” Guest Lecture and Tours, Edmonton: Art Gallery of Alberta (May 2017).
• “Creating a Sense of Place One Stitch at a Time: The role of embroidered pillows in the Ukrainian  – Canadian community” – Heritages of Migration: Moving Stories, Objects and Home. University of Birmingham, UK, Ironbridge Institute Conference – Buenos Aires, Argentina (April 2017).
• “The Arts and Cultural Identity” – Conference Presentation – Ukrainian Canadian Congress Triennial Conference, Regina, SK (Nov 2016).
• “Ukrainian Canadian Embroidery – Folk Art or Fine Art?” – UAlberta Guest Lecture MLCS 204 (Oct 2016)
• “History of Ukrainian Embroidery in Alberta” – Guest Speaker, Costume Society of America – Western Region Conference.  Edmonton, AB (July 2016).
• “Pillow Talk” – Vegreville Pysanka Society – Vegreville, AB (July 2016).
• “Embroidered Memories” – Guest Speaker, UAlberta Dept. of Finance – Conference (Nov 2015).
• “Collecting Embroidery” – Reflecting on Summer Fieldwork & Research” – Keynote Speaker, Ukrainian Self Reliance League Luncheon. Edmonton, AB (Oct 2015).
•  “ACUA – 35^th Anniversary Keynote Address” – Edmonton, AB (Sept 2015).
• “Embroidered Memories: The Ukrainian-Canadian Embroidered Pillow” – Student Poster                Presentations, Human Ecology, University of Alberta (Apr 2015).
•  “Collecting Memories: The Ukrainian Canadian Embroidered Pillow” – Guest Speaker, Alberta Pioneer Association, AGM, Edmonton, AB (Apr 2015).
• “History of the Rusalka Ukrainian Dancers in Calgary”- Keynote Speaker, Friends of the Ukrainian Folklore Centre, AGM, Edmonton, AB (Aug 2014).
•  “Prince Philip Opened My Exhibition” – Kiev Konnection 2012 – Keynote Speaker – Ukrainian Foundation for College Education – McEwan University, (May 2012)
• “Interpreting the Works of Leonard Cohen” – Guest Lecturer – International Leonard Cohen Festival, Edmonton, AB (July 2008)
• “Celebrating Women: Honouring the Pride Passion and Perseverance of Canadian Women” – Guest Lecture Tour.  Sponsored by the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC). Presentations in: Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal (2004/05).
• “Flowers of the Bible” – Guest Lecture Tour. Sponsored by the Ukrainian Canadian Women’s Association of Canada. Presentations in: Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal (1999/2000).

PUBLISHED BOOKS AND PAPERS (AUTHORED)

• Cheladyn, Larisa Sembaliuk, Baba’s Coat, Edmonton: UCAMA (Pending publication – Nov 2018).
• Cheladyn, Larisa Sembaliuk, (2017) Five Waves of Inspiration, ACUA: Edmonton.
• Cheladyn, Larisa Sembaliuk (Pending publication) “Creating a Sense of Place One Stitch at a Time: The role of embroidered pillows in the Ukrainian Canadian community”, paper presented to Heritages of Migration: Moving Stories, Objects and Home Conference. Buenos Aires, Argentina. April 2017. Birmingham, UK: Ironbridge Institute – Birmingham University.
• Nahachewsky, Andriy, Maryna Chernyavska, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, (2017) Journey to Canada, Edmonton: Kule Folklore Centre.
• Cheladyn, Larisa Sembaliuk (2016). Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, “Stitched Narratives: The Ukrainian Canadian Embroidered Pillow” master’s thesis, University of Alberta, 2016.
•  Cheladyn, Larisa Sembaliuk, (2004) Celebrating Women, Ottawa: NCWC.
• Cheladyn, Larisa Sembaliuk, (1999) Flowers of the Bible, Edmonton: Ecclesia Publishing.

PUBLISHED BOOKS (ILLUSTRATION AND LAYOUT)

• Savedchuk, Lesia (2017), Футболні детективи, Illustrations: Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, Calgary: Iskra Books.
• Nahachewsky, Andriy, Maryna Chernyavska, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (2017), Journey to Canada, Edmonton: Kule Folklore Centre.
• Onufrijchuk, Roman and Irka Balan (2006), Vasile Avramenko : A Legacy of Ukrainian Dance,  Winnipeg:   Shevchenko Foundation.
• Prescribed texts for the Junior High Social Studies Curriculum’s in Alberta and Ontario:
  • Marcotte, Nancy Sellars, (1993), Ordinary People in Alberta’s Past, Edmonton: Arnold Publishing.
  • Galvin, K. (1991), A Quebec Experience, Edmonton: Arnold Publishing.
  • Marcotte, Nancy Sellars, (1989), Ordinary People in Canada’s Past, Edmonton: Arnold Publishing
• Supplementary reading for Ukrainian Bilingual Programs in Canada, USA, Australia and the UK. Also, used as supplementary reading for Early Childhood ESL Programs in Ukraine. *Denotes “Canadian best-seller” having sold over 10,000 copies worldwide:
  • Gulutsan, Lena Hryhor, Gene Zwozdesky, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (1980) The Mosquito’s Wedding*, Edmonton: Kazka Productions.
  • Gulutsan, Lena Hryhor, Gene Zwozdesky, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (1982) Snow Folks*, Edmonton: Kazka.
  • Gulutsan, Lena Hryhor, Gene Zwozdesky, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (1987) Spring Serenade*, Edmonton: Kazka.
  • Gulutsan, Lena Hryhor, Gene Zwozdesky, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (1988) The Enchanted Christmas Tree*, Edmonton: Kazka.
  • Gulutsan, Lena Hryhor, Gene Zwozdesky, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (1989) Sing-a-long Treasures, Edmonton: Kazka.

CURATED EXHIBITS, DISPLAYS, AND INSTALLATIONS

• “Embroidered Memories – A 1000 Pillow Project” – Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (Curator), in production, to be unveiled at Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural Centre, Winnipeg, MB – May 2018.
• “Images of Faith, Hope, and Beauty” –Dr. Jelena Pogosjan, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (Co-curators) –   Kule Folklore Centre – Enterprise Square December,2017- January, 2018
• “Five Waves of Inspirations” – Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (Curator) –  Calgary Public Library, Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts (ACUA) – July, 2017.
• “Five Waves of Inspirations” – Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (Curator) – Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA), Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts (ACUA) – May 2017.
• “Lest We Forget…” – Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (Curator) & Iryna Jendjowsky – Ukrainian Canadian Archives and Museum of Alberta, October 2016.
• “Journey to Canada” – Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Andriy Nahachewsky, Maryna Chernyavska, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (Co-curators) – Kule Folklore Centre: Edmonton. July, 2016.
• “Boys & Girls” – Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (illustration & Design).  Illustrated adaptation of Alice Munro’s story – exhibited at “Comics Medium in the Museum”, UAlberta Rutherford Library, October 2016.
• “Baba’s Coat” – Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, (Curator).  A retrospective of paintings by Peter Shostak. Ukrainian Canadian Archives and Museum of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. (Date pending).
• “Making a New Home” – Andriy Nahachewsky, Maryna Chernyavska, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (Co-curators) Edmonton: Kule Folklore Centre, 2015.
• “Stitched Narratives” – Anne Bissonette, Larisa Cheladyn, et al. (Co-curators) – HECOL Gallery, University of Alberta, April 2015.
• “What’s New?” – Co-participant – UAlberta Museums and Services, Enterprise Square, April, 2015.
• “Vasile Avramenko: A Legacy of Ukrainian Dance”, eds. Onufrijchuk, Roman and Irka Balan, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (Layout & Design), Winnipeg: Shevchenko Foundation, 2006.

DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS, PERFORMANCE PROJECTIONS, ANIMATIONS, AND VIDEOS

• 2017- “Like Mother, Like Daughter”, Digital Narrative, Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, http://philome.la/artbylarisa/like-mother-like-daughter/play
• 2015 – “Exploring Sound”, Jazz Piano: John Stetch, Choreography: Anastasia Maywood & Tatiana Cheladyn, Projection Design and Animation: Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn. A collaborative exploratory multi-media production sponsored by the University of Alberta and the University of Cape Breton. Edmonton: Art Gallery of Alberta.
• 2013 – “Ukrainian Canadian Visual Artists” Produced and Directed by Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, Edmonton: UCC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBYrk53WXFM
• 2013 – “Prekracne Malyarstvo”, Featuring the animated painting Privit by Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn Edmonton: Veselka Dancers.  http://www.veselka.ca/about-us.html
• 2012 – “Bud’mo Cheremosh”. Projection Design and Animation: Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, Choreographer: Mykola Kanavets Technician: Nico Van Der Kley. Edmonton:Meyer Horowitz Theatre.
• 2010 – Cheremosh 40th Anniversary Gala. Projection Design and Animation: Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, Choreographer: Mykola Kanavets, Technician: Nico Van Der Kley. Edmonton: Expo Centre.
• 2009 – “Pioneer Suite” – Viter Ukrainian Dance Ensemble – Co-director and Projection Design: Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, Choreographers: Tasha Orysiuk, Les Sereda, Technician: Nico Van Der Kley. Edmonton: Eva O Howard Theatre.
• 2009 – “Tower of Song” – Celebrating Leonard Cohen a Cohenights production. Projection Design: Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, Music and Lyrics: Leonard Cohen, Choreographers: Joanne Lowry, Maria Chia, Tatiana Cheladyn, Technician: Nico Van Der Kley. Edmonton: Jubilee Auditorium.
• 2008 – “Dance Me…”  International Leonard Cohen Festival. A Cohenights production. Artistic Director and Projection Design: Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn.  Music and Lyrics: Leonard Cohen, Choreographers: Joanne Lowry, Maria Chia, Tatiana Cheladyn,Technician: Nico Van Der Kley. Edmonton: Citadel/Shoctor Theatre.
• 2008 – “Famous Blue Raincoat”. Artistic Director and Projection Design: Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn.  Music and Lyrics: Leonard Cohen, Choreographers: Joanne Lowry, Maria Chia, Tatiana Cheladyn, Performed by: Jordon Dowler-Coltman, Technician: Nico Van Der Kley. Edmonton: Citadel/Shoctor Theatre.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0l9nCiW-to

SELECTED ART EXHIBITIONS

• 2016 – Poppies & Podushky – Solo Exhibit, Edmonton: ACUA.
• 2013 – “Pouring Paint” – Solo Exhibit – Kings University, Edmonton.
• 2013 – “An Ensemble of Colour” – Group Exhibit of Ukrainian Canadian Artists, Toronto: KUMF.
• 2012 – “A Little Illumination” –   Solo Exhibit, Edmonton: UCAMA.
• 2012 – “Flowers of the Bible/Квіти Біблійі”– Lviv, Ukraine: Project Prosvita.
• 2012 – “Prairie Dreamscapes” – Group Exhibition of Alberta Artists, Toronto: KUMF.
• 2010 – “An Ensemble of Colour” – 40th Anniversary commission for the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. Unveiling of an 8-panel watercolour painting depicting 40 years of dance costuming.
• 2008/09 – “Dance Me…” Feature Artist – Int’l Leonard Cohen Festival – Solo Exhibit, Edmonton, AB
• 2008/09 – “Painting Stories” – Government of Alberta – Historic Sites. A Retrospective exhibition featuring illustrations by Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn for Kazka Productions Ltd. that were published in the 1980s.
• 2004/05 – “Celebrating Women”- A solo, 9 city touring exhibit of 25 paintings honouring Canadian women.  10 Canadian cities, touring exhibition of 24 paintings created by Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn. Commissioned and hosted by the National Council of Women of Canada.
• 2003 – “Baba’s Garden” Solo, Featured summer exhibition. Ukrainian Village: Alberta Historic Sites.
• 1998-2000 – “Flowers of the Bible”- A solo, 10 city touring exhibit of 25 paintings created by Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn. Commissioned by the Flowers of the Bible Society.  Hosted by the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada in: Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Oakville, Ottawa, and Toronto.
• 1998 – “Kalyna in the Country”, Solo Exhibition, Mundare, AB: Basilian Fathers Museum.
• 1997 – “A Collection of Colours”, Solo Exhibition, Geneva Botanical Gardens, Geneva, Switzerland.
• 1997 – “Blossoms of Colour”, Solo Exhibition, Victoria, BC.
• 1995/96 – “Flowers of the Americas” – A solo, 6 country touring exhibition co-sponsored by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and hosted by:
• Oct 1995 – Citadel Theatre – Edmonton, AB.
• Nov 1995 – Toronto Botanical Gardens.
• Dec 1995 – Guayaquil, Ecuador – Museo Municipal de Guayaquil, Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco.
• Jan 1996 – Punta Del Este, Uruguay – World Wildlife Fund (Argentina), Canadian Embassy (Uruguay).
• Feb 1996 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Villa Ocampo, World Wildlife Fund (Argentina), and Canadian Embassy (Argentina).
• Mar 1996 – Caracas, Venezuela – Grupo Li Gallery, Royal Bank of Canada, and Canadian Embassy (Venezuela)
• May 1996 – Geneva, Switzerland – World Wide Fund for Nature – International, City of Geneva, Geneva Botanical Gardens. Opening remarks by HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh.
• 1994 – “Festival of Poppies”, Solo Exhibition, Winnipeg: Pantages Theatre.
• 1994 – “Wildflowers”, Solo Exhibition, Edmonton: Walterdale Theatre.
• 1993 – “Festival of Poppies”, Solo Exhibition, Edmonton: Citadel Theatre.
• 1993 – “Edmonton Art Club Annual Exhibit”, Juried Group Exhibition, Edmonton: Edmonton Art Gallery.

AWARDS

• 2017 – University of Alberta – Alumni Recognition of Artistic Achievement – Enterprise Square
• 2010 – University of Alberta – Alumni Honours Award
• 2005 – Global Woman of Vision Award
• 2002 – City of Edmonton Salute to Excellence Arts Achievement Award

SCHOLARSHIPS

• 2017/18 – Kuryliw Scholarship
• 2016 – Gregory & Julie Patrick Award in Ukrainian Culture
• 2015 – Slavic and East European Studies 75 Anniversary MA Scholarship
• 2015 – Gregory & Julie Patrick Award in Ukrainian Culture
• 2015 – Kawulych Ukrainian Folklore Graduate Award
• 2014/15 – 2015/16 – Kuryliw Scholarship

EXHIBITION GRANTS & PROJECT FUNDING

• 2016 – Ukrainian Pioneers Association – $3500 for “Embroidered Memories” catalogue production
• 2016 – Shevchenko Foundation –  $10,000 for “Embroidered Memories” exhibit installation
• 2005 – Shevchenko Foundation – $7000 for “Painting Stories – Kazka Retrospective”
• 1997 – Canadian Western Diversification – $150,000 for “Flowers of the Bible” Millennium Exhibition
• 1995 – Sponsorship for “Flowers of the Americas”
  • Royal Bank of Canada – Venezuela, Canadian Embassy in Venezuela,
  • Canadian Embassy in Argentina, Canadian Embassy in Uruguay,
  • World Wildlife Fund – International, Geneva Botanical Gardens, Toronto Botanical Gardens.

RECORDED INTERVIEWS

• “Ukrainian artist converts ammo boxes to religious icons, shifting death to life”, Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton: Edmonton Journal. 2017. http://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/local-arts/ukrainian-artists-converts-ammo-boxes-to-icons-shifting-death-to-life
• “The Four Seasons” Unveiling Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble 40^th Anniversary Project. Saskatoon: Kontact. 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v84aW-tjF0&authuser=0
• “Five Waves of Inspiration” Toronto: Kontact. 2017
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMPSUi0rOHk&authuser=0
• “The Artist’s Process – ‘An Ensemble of Colour’” Producer/Writer/Director: Gail Currie, Edmonton: KAPOH Productions. 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAKPPJd-tUU

MAJOR COLLECTIONS (SELECTED WORKS)

International:  Buckingham Palace (London, England), Canadian Embassy (Caracas, Venezuela), Canadian Embassy (Kyiv, Ukraine), Korean Embassy (Montevideo, Uruguay), Gutzwiller & Sons Banquiers (Basel, Switzerland), Smithsonian Institute (Washington DC, USA), His Beatitude Patriarch Bartholomew (Athens, Greece)

Canadian: Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Calgary), Veselka Ukrainian Dancers (Edmonton), Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble (Saskatoon), The Salvation Army Agape Hospice (Calgary), Imperial Oil Canada (Calgary), Shevchenko Foundation (Winnipeg), Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Edmonton), Edmonton Catholic School Board, Ukrainian Embassy (Ottawa),   Carpathia Credit Union (Winnipeg),  Cherkawsky Law (Edmonton)

CLOTHING AND TEXTILES

• 2017 – The Four Seasons – A collection of scarves celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble in Saskatoon, SK.
• 2016 – Silk scarves – A collection of scarves featuring poppies and wheat.
• 2004 – Silk scarf – Featuring poppy image “National Pride”. Produced by NCWC.
• 2006 – Vinok LaParka – Featuring the image “Vinok”, Manufactured by Linda Lundstrom Inc.