Born in Edmonton, AB, and having graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Art & Design (’81) from the University of Alberta, Larisa has become an accomplished Canadian artist. The bold and colourful work she produces, demonstrates a unique artistic style that has enabled her to enjoy a busy professional life. Larisa’s major sources of inspiration come from folklore and textile images, as well as music, dance, and the brilliant colour schemes from her garden and her Ukrainian heritage. The bold and colourful work she produces demonstrates a unique artistic style that has enabled her to enjoy a busy professional life.  She dedicates herself to creating commissioned works as well as producing theme based collections.   Major collections include:  Flowers of the Americas (1996) Flowers of the Bible (2000), Celebrating Women (2005), and Dance Me…Inspired by the works of Leonard Cohen (2008).

The impact of Larisa’s art has reached deeply into the community. Dramatic imagery, combining reflections with poignant social statements on relevant historical moments, environmental beauty, cultural influences and identities, has brought her international attention and acclaim.  Her works can be found in collections across Canada, throughout South America, Australia and Europe.

Larisa recently returned to university life and has enrolled in a Masters’ program in Ukrainian Folklore in the department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies at the University of Alberta, specializing in material culture (textiles). Her research will culminate with an exhibition of new works in the spring of 2016.
Artist’s Statement
“Painting is my way of storytelling. I create images that are inspired by the things I see, read and experience. My strongest sources of inspiration come from music and dance, as well as the brilliant colour schemes and symbolic items from my love of gardening and my Ukrainian heritage.

True to the influence of my grandparents and parents, I am also an innovator. I love to experiment with the mediums I use to stretch the boundaries of watercolour; exploring unusual compositions and the sculptural/textural qualities of the paints and paper that I have on hand.”

Artist Credentials:

AWARDS

2015 – Slavic and East European Studies 75 Anniversary MA Scholarship
2015 – Gregory & Julie Patrick Award in Ukrainian Culture
2015 – Kawulych Ukrainian Folklore Graduate Award
2014/15  2015/16   Kuryliw Scholarship
2010 – University of Alberta – Alumni Honours Award
2005 – Global Woman of Vision Award
2002 – City of Edmonton Salute to Excellence Arts Achievement Award

PRESENTATIONS/LECTURES

“Collecting Embroidery – Reflecting on Summer Fieldwork & Research” – Ukrainian Self Reliance League Luncheon, Keynote Speaker – October, 2015
“ACUA – 35th anniversary Key note address” – September, 2015
“Embroidered Memories: The Ukrainian-Canadian Embroidered Pillow” – Student Poster Presentations, Human Ecology, University of Alberta. April 2015.
“Collecting Memories: The Ukrainian Canadian Embroidered Pillow” – Alberta Pioneer Association, AGM Guest Speaker, Edmonton, AB, April 19. 2015.
“History of the Rusalka Ukrainian Dancers in Calgary”, Friends of the Ukrainian Folklore Centre, AGM Guest Presentor, Edmonton, AB, August 2014.

PUBLISHED CATALOGUES
Cheladyn, Larisa Sembaliuk (2004) Celebrating Women, Ottawa, ON: National Council of Women of Canada
Cheladyn, Larisa Sembaliuk (1999) Flowers of the Bible, Edmonton, AB: Ecclesia Publishing Corp.

PUBLISHED ILLUSTRATIONS AND LAYOUTS

Shevchenko Foundation
Textbook that accompanied the display “Vasile Avramenko : A Legacy of Ukrainian Dance” Onufrijchuk, Roman and Irka Balan (2006), Vasile Avramenko: A Legacy of Ukrainian Dance, Winnipeg, MB: Shevchenko.

Arnold Publishing Ltd.
Prescribed texts for the Junior High Social Studies Curriculum’s in Alberta and Ontario
Marcotte, Nancy Sellars, (1989), Ordinary People in Canada’s Past, Edmonton, AB: Arnold.
Galvin, K. (1991), A Quebec Experience, Edmonton, AB: Arnold.
Marcotte, Nancy Sellars, (1993), Ordinary People in Alberta’s Past, Edmonton, AB: Arnold.

Kazka Productions Ltd.
Supplementary reading for Ukrainian Bilingual Programs in Canada, USA, Australia and the UK
Also as supplementary reading for Early Childhood ESL Programs in Ukraine  * Canadian Bestselling Children’s book
Gulutsan, Lena Hryhor (1980) The Mosquito’s Wedding*, Edmonton, AB: Kazka.
Gulutsan, Lena Hryhor (1982) Snow Folks*, Edmonton, AB: Kazka.
Gulutsan, Lena Hryhor (1987) Spring Serenade*, Edmonton, AB: Kazka.
Gulutsan, Lena Hryhor (1988) The Enchanted Christmas Tree*, Edmonton, AB: Kazka.
Gulutsan, Lena Hryhor (1989) Sing-a-long Treasures, Edmonton, AB: Kazka.

EXHIBITIONS AND DISPLAYS
Bissonette, Anne, Cheladyn, Larisa et al.,“Stitched Narratives” – Co-curator, HECOL Gallery, University of Alberta, April 2015.

• “What’s New?” – co-participant – UAlberta Museums and Services, Enterprise Square, April, 2015
• Nahachewsky, Andriy, et.al. (2011), Journey to Canada, Edmonton, AB: Kule Folklore Centre
• Onufrijchuk, Roman and Irka Balan (2006), Vasile Avramenko: A Legacy of Ukrainian Dance, Winnipeg, MB: Shevchenko.

PERFORMANCE PROJECTION AND ANIMATION PROJECTS

2012 – “Bud’mo Cheremosh” Edmonton, Meyer Horowitz Theatre –
Creator of projected animations for dances: Tamborine,  Bukovynian Rhapsody and Edmonton Hopak
Collaborating Choreographer: Mykola Kanavets   Collaborating Technician: Nico Van Der Kley

2010 – Cheremosh 40th Anniversary Gala – Edmonton Expo Centre
Creator of projected animations for dances: Tamborine, Bukovynian and Edmonton Hopak
Collaborating Choreographer: Mykola Kanavets   Collaborating Technician: Nico Van Der Kley

2009 – “Pioneer Suite” – Viter Ukrainian Dance Ensemble – Eva O Howard Theatre
Creator of projected animations for Pioneer Suite
Collaborating Choreographers: Tasha Orysiuk, Les Sereda
Collaborating Technician: Nico Van Der Kley

2009 – “Tower of Song” – Celebrating Leonard Cohen – Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton
Creator of projected animations for four contemporary dances
Collaborating Choreographers: Joanne Lowry, Maria Chia, Tatiana Cheladyn
Collaborating Technician: Nico Van Der Kley

2008 – “Dance Me…” International Leonard Cohen Festival – Shoctor Theatre, Edmonton
Artistic Director and creator of projected animations for five contemporary dances
Collaborating Choreographers: Joanne Lowry, Maria Chia, Tatiana Cheladyn
Collaborating Technician: Nico Van Der Kley

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2012 – “A Little Illumination” –   Solo art exhibit, Edmonton, December 2012

2012 – “Prairie Dreamscapes” – KUMF Gallery, Toronto – Group Exhibition of Alberta Artists

2010 – “An Ensemble of Colour”
40th Anniversary commission for the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
Solo show featuring an 8-panel Watercolour painting depicting 40 years of dance costuming

2008/09  – “Dance Me…” International Leonard Cohen Festival – Solo Show, – Shoctor Theatre, Edmonton, AB

2008/09 – “Painting Stories” – Hosted by Alberta Historic Sites
A Retrospective exhibition featuring Larisa’s illustrations with Kazka Productions Inc., published in the 1980’s.

2004/05 – “Celebrating Women”- A solo, 9 city, touring exhibit of 25 paintings honouring the accomplishments of Canadian women.

1999/2000 – “Flowers of the Bible” – A solo, 10 Canadian city, touring exhibition of 24 paintings

1995/96 – “Flowers of the Americas” – A solo, 6 country, touring exhibition of 24 paintings

MAJOR COLLECTIONS (SELECTED WORKS)

International:
Buckingham Palace (London, England)
Canadian Embassy (Caracas, Venezuela)
Canadian Embassy (Kiev, Ukraine)
Korean Embassy (Montevideo, Uruguay)
Gutzwiller & Sons Banquiers (Basel, Switzerland)
Smithsonian Institute (Washington DC, USA)
His Beatitude Patriarch Bartholomew (Athens, Greece)

Canadian:
Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (Edmonton)
Edmonton Catholic School Board
Ukrainian Embassy (Ottawa)
Carpathia Credit Union (Winnipeg)
Hauptman Hart Cherkawsky (Edmonton)
The Salvation Army Agape Hospice (Calgary)
Imperial Oil Canada (Calgary)
Shevchenko Foundation (Winnipeg)
CLOTHING & TEXTILES

2004 – Silk scarf – featuring poppy image “National Pride” Produced by NCWC

2006 – Vinok LaParka – Featuring image “Vinok” Produced by Linda Lundstrom Inc.