Onder de Oekraïense bewoners van Topaz/Groenhoven zijn er ook kunstenaars die graag hun werken willen exposeren. U bent welkom in Topaz/Groenhoven op de Witte Rozenstraat in de ontmoetingsruimte op de begane grond.
Anastasiia Kovbun: Whimsy and Heart in Handmade Crochet Toys
Meet Anastasiia Kovbun, a talented crochet artist whose journey is as heartfelt as her creations. Though she began crocheting only three years ago as a way to cope with the emotional toll of war, this craft had been a dream of hers since childhood. Anastasiia’s passion shines through every stitch, making her crochet toys truly extraordinary.
Crocheting amidst nature, by the water, in parks, or cozy cafés (especially on cold days) is Anastasiia’s favorite way to create. Her work brings playful fantasy to life with whimsical designs, such as bunnies with cat tails or cats with wings, each carrying a piece of her boundless love. She also takes on custom projects based on photos, and her largest creation to date is a one-meter-tall amigurumi cat crafted from a client’s image.
Anastasiia shares her craft with the next generation by teaching children how to crochet. With three dedicated students already creating toys and more, she inspires creativity and nurtures young talent.
Safety, quality, and tenderness are the hallmarks of Anastasiia’s work. All her toys are made with hypoallergenic materials, and most lack detachable parts, making them ideal for children. Recently, she has started participating in charity fairs and festivals in Leiden and Haarlem, sharing her creations with the community.
Explore more of Anastasiia’s enchanting world on Instagram: @toys.crochet.fun. Let her whimsical designs and heartfelt creations bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.
Inna Politun’s Aromatic Candles: Light, Warmth, and Elegance
Meet Inna Politun, a talented master of aromatic candle-making, whose work brings warmth and beauty to any space. At 32 years old, Inna has perfected the art of creating container, molded, and massage candles that surprise and delight with their vibrant colors, luxurious designs, and refined fragrances.
Inna’s candles are more than just light—they are an experience. Each carefully crafted piece fills your home with coziness and creates an atmosphere of romance. With their elegant aromas, her candles evoke joyful memories, calm the mind, and bring clarity to your thoughts, helping you find balance and focus.
Discover the magic of Inna’s creations and let her aromatic candles transform your space into a haven of light, warmth, and harmony. From relaxation to inspiration, her masterpieces are designed to enrich your life with beauty and purpose.
Celebrating the Artistry of Lydia Karpiuk: Timeless Beadwork from the Heart of the Carpathians
Nestled in the picturesque Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine, Lydia Karpiuk has been crafting her exquisite beadwork for over 20 years. Her creations are a heartfelt blend of ancient traditions and contemporary designs, showcasing the beauty and resilience of folk crafts.
Lydia’s journey into beadwork stems from her deep appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of her homeland. Each piece she creates reflects her passion, skill, and dedication to preserving ancient ornaments while adapting them to modern tastes. Whether it’s intricate patterns inspired by Ukrainian traditions or fresh, innovative designs, Lydia’s bead laces are imbued with both elegance and meaning.
Her beadwork has enchanted countless admirers, bringing the charm of the Carpathians to the global stage. With her unique artistry, Lydia captures the essence of her heritage and invites viewers to embark on a journey through the vibrant colors and timeless patterns of her work.
Explore the captivating bead laces crafted by Lydia Karpiuk and experience the magic of traditional art reimagined for the modern world. Your appreciation fuels her creative spirit, and she is delighted to share her passion with you.
Nataliia Malinina: A Master of Handcrafted Elegance
Originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine, Nataliia Malinina has been living in Leiden for the past three years. Her passion for knitting and crocheting spans decades, a skill passed down from her grandmother and mother who first introduced her to the craft.
With a meticulous eye for quality, Nataliia carefully selects the finest yarns, amassing a collection of premium materials, primarily sourced from Italy. From mohair and merino wool to alpaca, cashmere, and silk, each strand contributes to the beauty and durability of her creations. Following her mother’s advice, she always uses high-quality tools and materials to ensure her efforts are never wasted on anything less than the best.
For Nataliia, creativity knows no boundaries. She knits wherever she has free hands, listening to audiobooks instead of reading or watching series, so her eyes remain focused on her projects. She even takes small projects, like gloves or hats, on her travels—for example, during a seven-hour flight to Canada, she completed a pair of gloves while immersed in a fantasy audiobook.
Nataliia’s work is a testament to her dedication, precision, and love for handmade art. Every piece she crafts carries the essence of her artistry and her lifelong passion for knitting and crocheting.
Olga Pylypenko: Painting with Thread – The Art of Embroidery
Olga’s journey into embroidery began two decades ago, taught by a dear friend who sparked her passion for this intricate craft. Over the years, her skills evolved from creating simple designs to mastering the art of embroidered portraits. For Olga, stitching is like painting with thread—each stroke captures the delicate features and shades that bring her work to life.
After taking a break from embroidery due to the challenges of war, Olga rediscovered her love for the craft upon moving to the Netherlands a year ago. This exhibition marks the first time she is showcasing her work for sale, having previously gifted her creations to close friends and family.
Olga’s embroidered artworks are imbued with warmth, care, and a commitment to detail. She hopes that her pieces will not only adorn your home but also bring you joy and inspiration, just as they have for her.
Discover Olga’s exceptional embroidery—where every thread tells a story of passion, resilience, and creativity.
Petro Khavluk: A Lifetime of Landscape Painting
Petro Khavluk’s passion for painting began in his childhood, growing up in the picturesque village of Kamyanska-Sloboda, Chernihiv region, Ukraine. Surrounded by rolling hills, rivers, meadows, fields, and forests, the natural beauty of his homeland instilled in him a deep love for art and creativity. Despite his parents’ skepticism about his artistic pursuits, Petro remained dedicated to his craft.
At 66 years old, Petro paints landscapes using oil paints on hardboard, capturing the essence of nature’s beauty with his masterful brushstrokes. His work reflects both his mood and his environment; a painting can take just one day or several weeks to complete, depending on his creative rhythm. After relocating to the Netherlands, Petro initially faced challenges in continuing his art due to limited space while living in a hostel. Now, he enjoys painting in his small outdoor studio, transforming his backyard into a haven for his artistry.
Beyond painting, Petro has had a rich creative career. In Ukraine, he led a workshop on artistic and technical modeling at the village’s Center for Children and Youth Creativity. Together with his students, he crafted intricate models of historical churches, private estates, and even imaginative alien ships using wood and other materials. His workshop achieved notable success, receiving awards in various competitions and recognition in local newspapers.
Petro’s landscapes are his first love—vivid reflections of the world that shaped his artistic soul. This exhibition is a rare opportunity to explore his work and take home a piece of his lifelong passion for art.
Svitlana Melnyk: A Teacher, An Artist, A Keeper of Memories
Svitlana Melnyk’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and a deep passion for art. Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, she and her son were forced to leave their homeland on March 1, 2022, escaping the hardships of war. Despite these challenges, Svitlana’s artistic spirit continues to shine through her exquisite handmade jewelry.
A teacher by profession with a background in art, Svitlana found her calling in jewelry making. She began by working with ready-made beads and findings, but her creativity soon led her to design her own unique pieces using wire forging techniques and natural stone beads. Each creation reflects her dedication to craftsmanship and her love for timeless elegance.
Although Svitlana could only bring a small selection of her work to the Netherlands, her artistic journey is vividly documented on her Instagram: @_melody_spring_ . There, you can explore the full range of her projects and witness her creative vision firsthand.
Svitlana also specializes in giving cherished jewelry a new life. Whether it’s a necklace or earrings held dear as a memory, she can transform them into modern designs. Simply send her photos of the pieces, and she’ll work with you to create something beautiful and meaningful.
Don’t miss the opportunity to discover Svitlana’s stunning creations at this exhibition. Each piece carries a story, an emotion, and a touch of her extraordinary journey.
Tetiana Holovchenko: The Beauty of Handmade Creations
Born and raised in northern Ukraine, Tetiana Holovchenko has always found joy in creativity. Despite the challenges her homeland faces today, her passion for handcrafted art remains unwavering. Inspired by nature, music, and the people around her, she expresses herself through her work, bringing warmth and authenticity to every piece she creates.
Tetiana specializes in crafting toys, necklaces, flowers, shawls, and bags using the intricate techniques of wet and dry felting. She also incorporates embroidery into her designs, seamlessly blending multiple artistic methods to produce one-of-a-kind creations.
Committed to sustainability, Tetiana works with natural materials, believing in the importance of preserving our connection to nature. Wool, particularly Australian merino, plays a significant role in her art, and she increasingly integrates recycled textiles, giving forgotten fabrics a second life through her craft.
Beyond her creations, Tetiana offers a unique service—she restores and transforms worn garments, using embroidery to mask imperfections while adding artistic charm. She also enjoys teaching and sharing her expertise, offering masterclasses where participants can craft their own brooches, flowers, necklaces, trivets, toys, or scarves.
Tetiana’s work is a testament to both tradition and innovation, bringing artistry, sustainability, and heartfelt creativity together. Discover her handmade treasures and experience the warmth and meaning behind every stitch.
Valentina Yasko: Turning Everyday Materials into Art
Valentina Yasko’s artistic journey began after her retirement in 2009, proving it’s never too late to discover a passion for creativity. Having initially taught herself to knit and crochet from scratch, Valentina quickly developed an enthusiasm for exploring new techniques, often inspired by YouTube tutorials. Her curious spirit and love for learning have driven her to experiment with a wide variety of materials, transforming what would otherwise be discarded into unique works of art.
From yarn and leather to fabric and paper, Valentina finds beauty and potential in leftover production materials. Her ability to harmonize colors and textures enables her to create pieces that captivate the eye and warm the heart. Among her many creations are aprons, kitchen potholders, decorative pillows, pincushions, and vibrant flowers made from simple paper napkins. She also enjoys beaded embroidery, decoupage jars and vases, and crafting ribbon or fabric art on foam boards.
In Ukraine, Valentina’s creations were cherished gifts for family and friends. Now, her work continues to embody her resourcefulness, artistic flair, and deep care for sustainability. For Valentina, crafting is more than a hobby—it’s a source of joy, therapy, and a way to bring harmony to both her life and the lives of others.
Each of Valentina’s pieces tells a story of transformation and creativity, inspiring us all to find beauty in the everyday.
