Aid2Art Origin Story
During the first 6 months of the war in Ukraine, one of the top three most requested needs for support was paid-work opportunities. Ukrainians were asking for opportunities to support themselves and their families as they navigated the changes in their lives.
With that in mind, a Ukrainian-American woman, Tetiana Khodakivska, and her best friend, Laura Casinelli, started an open-source resource list for Ukrainian designers and artists to match them with remote professional opportunities. The online list quickly transformed from a few names to 500+ as the link was rapidly shared amongst global networks.
Alight came across this list and was moved to uplift the initiative already in the works. We partnered with Tetiana, Laura, and other Ukrainian-Americans to build momentum and facilitate over 220 unconditional cash transfers to Ukrainian creatives living in Ukraine and create an art collection of works reflecting “Iconic Ukraine”.
As additional partners were brought onboard to build Aid2Art, two consistent themes ran through their commitment:
1) They wanted to support a humanitarian initiative that didn’t forget the unique challenges of Ukrainian creatives.
2) They saw creativity as a unique vessel to stand in solidarity with Ukrainians and other displaced people worldwide.
This is how Aid2Art was born.
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The “Iconic Ukraine” gallery
Alight launched a virtual gallery featuring the work of talented Ukrainian artists, designers, photographers, and illustrators. The gallery was designed to showcase the depth and beauty of Ukrainian culture, support Ukrainian creatives by connecting them through their social media accounts and encourage people to share art with their community in order to uplift Ukrainian creatives directly affected by the war. Below are just a few examples of the artwork.
Please note: Alight believes everyone should have the freedom to express themselves. As a humanitarian organization, we are mandated to be impartial and can only support conflict resolution through nonviolent means. Please keep this in mind as you explore the gallery.
Picture of a woman embroidering a military uniform with determination. March. Irpin. Svitlana Gryb, 2022 | Kyiv, Ukraine
The girl in the picture is almost naked, which means her insecurity and vulnerability to the enemy. She embroiders a military uniform with the pixels looking like flowers. It's more than a uniform now — it's a talisman. Her ribbons carry the words devoted to the peaceful life she dreams about, taken from a Ukrainian folk song: Oh, on the mountain rye, there are thin mowings; And who will unravel the young girl's braids? The Cossack will unravel, the Cossack will weave, The Cossack will lead the girl to the marriage.Learn more about Svitlana’s work here.
Masha Raymers is a 23-year-old art-photographer from Lviv,Ukraine. She has been taking photos for almost 9 years. She mainly createsartistic portraits.Learn more about Masha’s work here.
Born in 1994 in Borodyanka, Kyiv region, Anastasiia graduated from National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture with a degree in architecture. Since the Russian invasion, under the impression of events in Ukraine, she began to create patriotic paintings filled with the spirit of Ukrainian freedom and nationalism. See more of Anastasiia’s work here.
Rusaliya Abo | Kyiv, Ukraine
Rusaliya is an illustrator with 10 years of experience. She has worked with international and local brands and online media, and participated in various exhibitions. She has taught illustration for two years in schools of creative marketing in Kyiv. In her works, she is inspired by people, their relationships with others and with themselves. Learn more about Rusaliya’s work here.
Vladyslav Musiienko was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. Since 2005, he has worked as a press photographer. He is now a freelance photographer, documenting the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine. Learn more about Vladyslav’s work on Instagram.
Vladyslav Musiienko was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. Since 2005, he has worked as a press photographer. He is now a freelance photographer, documenting the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine. Learn more about Vladyslav’s work on Instagram.
Olga Gaidamaka was born in 1990 in Kyiv. She received her basic art education at the Kyiv Art School named after M. D. Leontovich. She graduated from the Kyiv National University of Technology and Design, majoring in clothing design. Her works represent Ukrainian traditional culture: its mystical rituals, beliefs, charms, the extraordinary beauty of embroidered costumes and the richness of headdresses. Her artwork can be found in private collections in Ukraine, Canada and the USA. Learn more about Olga’s work here.
Kosiv ceramics are applied folk art from Hutsulshchyna in Western Ukraine and other neighboring countries. Decorative pottery - vases, pots, cups, etc. - represent a distinctive folk style that originated in the 15th century.In 2014, Kosiv ceramics were nominated to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, specifically the Representative List, by UNESCO.Materials used: tinted paper, 70x50 color pencils, acrylic paint.This artwork is a photo of the original piece of work.
Olena Korolov | Lviv, Ukraine
Olena Korolova is a professional artist and graphic designer that graduated from Crimean Art College of Samokish. She has lived and worked in Lviv for over 20 years. She is skilled in a variety of different techniques: painting (oil, acrylic paint, watercolor, gouache), graphics (pencil, pastel). For last 11 years, Olena has worked in an art studio with children as well as taken on custom works. She really likes plein-air painting as she reflects on the atmosphere and maintains the decorative aspects she discovers along the way. Learn more about Olena’s work here.
Drawing attention to prominent figures of Ukrainian culture
Julia Kunshchykova, 2022 | Kyiv, Ukraine
Julia Kunshchykova is a graphic designer from Kyiv. She studied at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture. She’s a scholar of program of Culture of Ministry of Poland “Gaude Polonia” in 2015 and currently works as a graphic designer and illustrator. She’s currently in Kyiv. Learn more about Julia’s work here.
Krystyna Chernytska, 2022
Krystyna Chernytska is a Ukrainian graphic designer with 3 years of experience who lost her job in Ukraine because of the Russian invasion. Learn more about Krystyna’s work here.
