Learning

The Workshop of Tavrian Painting

The Workshop of Tavrian Painting in Mykolaiv began its work in early summer 2024 as a social enterprise founded by the Public Organisation “Adult Learning and Education Center ‘South’.” It has become a home for the revival and sharing of unique Tavrian painting, an important part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Mykolaiv Region and of Ukraine as a whole.

The initiators of the space were Ruslana Sikalenko — coordinator of cultural, artistic and historical projects of the Public Organisation “Adult Learning and Education Center ‘South’,” who actively shares the subject of Tavrian painting, develops social entrepreneurship in the civic sector and creates opportunities for people of communities to take part in art, learning and making together — and Liubov Paraniuk, leading master of the painting, expert, teacher and trainer of the organisation’s learning initiatives. It was Liubov herself who adorned the rooms and shaped the interior, painting at height an author’s ornament based on motifs of “Tavryka.”

Excursions and masterclasses in artistic ceramics, pottery, Tavrian painting and more are held in the workshop regularly. Creative initiatives of many kinds are organised here, gatherings of the constellation of masters, and artistic events, the most popular of which is the annual December fair of crafted souvenirs and treats, “Tavryka Unites!”

 The workshop’s principal work, however, is thorough teaching — of the painting itself and of other kinds of art. Especially popular among residents and guests of the city is the course “Foundations of Tavrian Painting for Beginners,” taught by the leading master of the painting, artist and expert Liubov Paraniuk. Within this learning initiative more than 15 groups of adults have completed the course — about 180 new bearers of “Tavryka” (as of the summer of 2026).

Residents and guests of the city may also buy printed materials about the painting (handbooks and booklets), ceramic pieces for decorating, souvenirs of many kinds with Tavrian painting, and more. But visitors name as the workshop’s greatest value the keeping of cultural heritage and the chance to learn more about the identity of the region.

Each year the workshop is visited by about 3,000 people, including foreigners, international delegates, politicians, diplomats, and partners of the region from various recovery projects and beyond.

From August 2026 the workshop, as a particular location, has been officially included in the national programme “A Journey to Oneself. Paths of Recovery,” carried out by the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine and BRAND UKRAINE.

A pottery studio works at the workshop.

So the principal directions of the workshop’s activity are:

  • the organisation and conducting of teaching and educational work (programmes, courses, masterclasses, lecture series and the like);
  • the design, production and sale of souvenirs;
  • the design and sale of printed goods, including stationery;
  • the design and issue of books, methodological materials, booklets, bulletins and the like about Tavrian painting and the identity of the Mykolaiv Region (history, culture, nature);
  • the carrying out of civic initiatives of many kinds, and also of grant and project work;
  • the running of social media;
  • the organisation and conducting of cultural, educational and public-awareness events, and of volunteer initiatives;
  • the attracting of grant support and the design of regional projects of its own.

And in the workshop one may simply rest and drink good coffee.