Dallas City Hall is about to become more colorful than it’s ever been. Starting August 1st, the building’s main lobby will showcase its first-ever exhibit of Petrykivka art – a centuries-old Ukrainian folk tradition that’s both breathtakingly beautiful and deeply meaningful to the growing Ukrainian community calling North Texas home.
This isn’t just any art exhibition. It’s a celebration of resilience, culture, and the sister city bond between Dallas and Kharkiv, Ukraine, that began in February 2022 when Mayor Eric L. Johnson signed the historic agreement with Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Art That Once Protected Ukrainian Homes
The people of the village of Petrykivka decorate their living quarters, household belongings and musical instruments with a richly symbolic style of ornamental painting, characterized by fantastic flowers and other natural elements. In folk belief, the paintings protect people from sorrow and evil.
This UNESCO-recognized art form isn’t just decorative – it was believed to ward off negative energy and bring good fortune to families. Originally, people painted the inside and outside walls of their homes, stoves, musical instruments, furniture, wooden kitchenware, and boxes, initially using paint made from vegetable juice.
The tradition dates back to the 18th century in the village of Petrykivka, Dnipropetrovsk region, where it was the custom that all women painted huts’ walls with floral colorful patterns.
Meet the Artist Keeping Tradition Alive
Hanna Chekodanova didn’t just stumble into this art form – she’s been perfecting it for over 25 years since learning the traditional techniques at age 10. Her work showcases the hallmark repetitive, elegant strokes of vibrant, colorful paint that produces fanciful plant motifs that define authentic Petrykivka style.
Due to the war in Ukraine, Hanna has made Dallas her home, where she continues creating art that tells stories of roots, resilience, and cultural pride. Her paintings carry the weight of history while expressing hope for the future – exactly what this exhibition represents for Dallas’s Ukrainian community.
A Growing Ukrainian Presence in North Texas
The timing of this exhibition couldn’t be more meaningful. Border officials reported encountering about 3,000 Ukrainians in March 2022 and 20,000 in April, with many settling in North Texas. The region is home to the Ukrainian American Society of Texas, established in 1983 to promote, preserve and celebrate the culture of Ukraine.
This exhibition provides both a celebration of Ukrainian culture and a way for the community to share their rich artistic traditions with their new Texas neighbors.
When Sister Cities Mean Something Real
The Dallas-Kharkiv sister city agreement isn’t just ceremonial paperwork. Dallas became the 32nd sister city of Kharkiv and the 3rd American city on this list, representing a meaningful connection during one of Ukraine’s most challenging periods.
This exhibition exemplifies how that partnership translates into real cultural exchange, giving Dallas residents a chance to experience Ukrainian heritage firsthand while supporting artists who’ve found refuge in Texas.
Your Chance to Experience Living History
Exhibition Details:
- When: August 1-8, 2025
- Where: Dallas City Hall Main Lobby
- Cost: Free
- Special Event: Meet artist Hanna Chekodanova on Wednesday, August 6th, 3:00-4:00 PM
The traditional Ukrainian folk painting style has played a spiritual role in people’s lives for centuries, and now you can see why. Each piece in the exhibition bursts with symbolic flowers, birds, and animals rendered through expressive brush and finger strokes that have been passed down through generations.
Why This Art Form Matters Today
In 2013, UNESCO recognized Petrykivka decorative painting as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, acknowledging its significance not just as art, but as a cultural practice that deserves preservation.
Seeing Hanna’s contemporary interpretation of these ancient techniques offers insight into how traditional art forms evolve while maintaining their cultural essence. Her work represents both continuity and adaptation – much like the Ukrainian community itself.
More Than Pretty Pictures
What makes Petrykivka art special isn’t just its vibrant colors and intricate patterns. The murals in the village of Petrykivka stand out for their specific art qualities that distinguish them from other Ukrainian decorative traditions.
Each element has meaning: flowers represent life and growth, birds symbolize freedom and the soul, and the overall compositions were believed to bring protection and prosperity to families. Understanding these symbols adds depth to what might otherwise seem like beautiful decoration.
A Week to Experience Something Unique
With the exhibition running for just one week, this is a limited opportunity to see art that connects centuries of Ukrainian tradition with contemporary expression. The August 6th meet-and-greet with Hanna Chekodanova offers a rare chance to hear directly from someone who learned these techniques in Ukraine and continues practicing them in Texas.
This is the kind of cultural event that makes Dallas special – a city where sister city relationships translate into meaningful exchanges that enrich our community. Whether you’re curious about Ukrainian culture, interested in folk art traditions, or simply looking for something beautiful and meaningful to experience, this exhibition delivers.
Dallas City Hall, usually known for city business, becomes a gallery celebrating the artistic traditions that have sustained Ukrainian families for generations. Don’t miss your chance to see how art, culture, and resilience come together in one stunning exhibition.
