Dennis Kowaleski

Dennis Kowaleski is a Ukrainian-American artist who specializes in Ukrainian embroidery and pysanky, dyed Easter eggs inscribed with intricate Ukrainian designs. CCHAP visited him at his home in Thomaston, Connecticut to document his work as part of the Hidden Treasures exhibit project. The exhibition, "Hidden Treasures: Works by Connecticut Folk and Traditional Artists," held February-March 2001, was displayed in the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Gallery, 755 Main Street, Hartford. This location was on the ground floor of the Gold Building which housed Fleet Bank and United Technologies. The exhibit featured 27 folk and traditional artists whose fine work made by hand in Connecticut was rarely exhibited. The artists represented a wide range of ethnic and occupational communities located across the state. The Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program curated this exhibit to celebrate a decade of its work with folk and traditional artists in communities throughout Connecticut. Curator Lynne Williamson gave a gallery talk on Thursday, March 1, 2001, followed by a reception to honor the artists.