Local artists, as well as some from other countries, are bringing their works of Faberge and pysanky egg art to Everett this weekend for the annual Washington State Decorated Egg Show – and these are anything but average dyed eggs.
On the contrary, some of these works of art may take months to create, says Terry Ackley of the Egg Artists Guild of Washington.
A Russian goldsmith named Carl Faberge began making the style of eggs that were later named for him. The eggs often have a space cut away from the shell, revealing a diorama inside, or are decorated with a silk print or other design on the shell itself.
For the pysanky style, artists sketch a design onto the egg and cover with wax any area that is to remain white, said Ackley, who has been an egg artist for six years.
“The egg is then dyed using the next lightest color, and the next, ending with the darkest color in the design. After the design is complete, the wax is removed,” she said.
Masterpieces of both styles will be on display – and on sale – Saturday and Sunday at the Holiday Inn on Pine Street in Everett.
The artists use a variety of eggshells from hatcheries and farms, including duck, goose, emu, ostrich and quail eggs. They extract the egg’s contents and sterilize it with bleach, she said.
Pysanky uses geometric shapes, plant and animal motifs and colors to tell a story, Ackley noted. In addition, artists use beads, metal pieces, miniature figurines and other embellishments for decoration.
This year’s theme for the show is “By the Sea,” Ackley said, so designs will include elements such as boats, lighthouses, fish and mermaids. Artists worldwide are participating, including some from Canada, England and Japan.
Visitors also can learn about this art form at the show, as various designers and teachers will be in attendance to share their knowledge.
Some decorated eggs will be awarded to visitors during raffles on Sunday. The raffles’ proceeds will benefit Providence Hospice of Snohomish County.
Egg Artists Guild photos
A wide variety of egg art will be shown this weekend in Everett. Pictured are just a few of the hundreds of pieces from last year’s show.
Washington State Decorated Egg Show
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Holiday Inn, 3105 Pine St., Everett; $5 admission. 360-652-2043, 360-629-3511.
Guild meetings are third Saturdays at the Marysville Public Library, 6120 Grove St.
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