The wounds of war cut deep, often leaving bodies mangled, shattered and bloodied. But for many, the deepest cuts are psychological, invisible scars that sometimes never heal. This is especially true for children.
Ukrainian artist Tetiana Mialkovska, is using art to try to heal those wounds. She is founder and director of Pyaternya, a group in Ukraine whose name means “handprint.” Its mission is to comfort those suffering from the emotional trauma unleashed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Her program, “Warm Hands: Healing Through Art,” focuses on helping orphaned and displaced children, widows and soldiers.
Through March 30, visitors to the Third Street Gallery and Double Dog Art Studio, both in Carnegie, will have an opportunity to view works of art created by children and adults struggling to cope with the losses and changes left by the war now in its fourth year. Its title is: “A Celebration of Ukrainian Art and Human Resilience.”
Most of the children's work is on display at Double Dog Art Studio on Second Avenue in Carnegie. Some is also featured at Third Street Gallery, across the street from Double Dog, along with two large tapestries created by Mialkovska that honor traditional Ukrainian religious and heritage motifs.
“We wanted to show our support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” said Dave Klug, an artist who owns Double Dog Art Studio with his wife, Pat.
“We also wanted to be a good neighbor to the [Ukrainian Cultural and Humanitarian Institute] and to the Ukrainian churches in town.”
The Ukrainian Cultural and Humanitarian Institute, a Carnegie-based nonprofit, was founded by Carnegie resident Stephen Haluszczak to build understanding of Ukrainian culture and heritage in America and to assist Ukrainians who have emigrated to the United States. The group also assists Ukraine with financial contributions and support in its struggle for freedom.
The UHCI has sponsored all of the artworks, both by children and professional Ukrainian artists. The group has also staged a fashion show featuring contemporary Ukrainian fashions and other events.
Haluszczak, who is the president of UHCI, translated a reporter’s questions for Mialkovska, who is currently in Ukraine.
“Even during wartime, children need a childhood,” she said. “We create a space in a physically secure environment for participants, away from the immediate threats of war and shelling, an emotional safe space where they can express their emotions and be themselves.”
Mialkovska employs experienced art therapists, psychologists and doctors, spiritual mentors and artists to help the children. The program accepts children from ages 8-18 years old, and sometimes works with younger children.
“By the end of the program, it is hard to recognize the same sad faces from the first days,” Mialkovska said. “Now their eyes shine with light and their faces are filled with smiles at the end.
“These are children forcibly displaced, deprived of parental care, those in rehabilitation centers, or family-type orphanages and children facing difficult life circumstances. In the Volyn region [a province in northwestern Ukraine] alone, there are over 23,000 such children.”
Dave Klug noticed differences in the art created by the boys and the work of the girls.
“The girls were focusing on themes of Ukrainian heritage, while the boys were drawing scenes of what was going on in front of them related to the war, like buildings being destroyed," he said.
From 1-4 p.m. Sunday, March 23, the Third Street Gallery will host a panel discussion on the psychological impact of the war.
From 7-9 p.m. Friday, March 28, the gallery will hold the U.S. premiere of a film about Les Kurbas, a Ukrainian filmmaker killed by the Soviets.
The closing reception and an auction will be held at Third Street Gallery from 1-3 p.m. March 30, with a musical performance by the Keystone Chorus.
Bob Podurgiel is a freelance writer from Carnegie.
First Published: March 20, 2025, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: March 21, 2025, 4:10 p.m.
