Dear friends,

It has been a busy month at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch, and we are pleased to share a few highlights from June.

NEW EXHIBITION

On Sunday, June 21, UMCO opened Testament • Zapovit, a retrospective of Ukrainian-Canadian artist Ihor Rodion Dmytruk. The exhibition presents a range of Dmytruk’s work across several decades, from early paintings to bold geometric abstractions, graphic drawings, and watercolours shaped by his lifelong connection to Ukraine. Testament • Zapovit was organized and curated by the Ukrainian Museum of Canada National Branch and premiered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in 2024. We are deeply grateful to UMC National for making this exhibition available to UMCO and for the spirit of collaboration that made its presentation in Toronto possible.

We were especially honoured to welcome many members of the Dmytruk family from Edmonton, Toronto, and Oakville for the opening! Their presence made the occasion deeply meaningful by sharing personal stories and recollections about Dmytruk, and enriching our opening with a deeper understanding of his life and his artistic legacy.

For the Toronto presentation, Guest Curator Dave Melnychuk brought a deeply personal perspective to the exhibition. A Ukrainian-Canadian artist, designer, and craftsperson, Melnychuk imagined an installation that does more than showcase artifacts alongside Dmytruk’s work; it draws thoughtful parallels between contemporary art and Ukrainian material culture.

Inspired by the feeling of visiting his Baba’s home, Melnychuk selected textiles, woodwork, ceramics, artwork and other objects from the Museum’s nearly 9,000 artifacts, as well as his own family portraits and keepsakes. Together, these pieces connect with important themes of ancestry and Ukrainian identity in Dmytruk’s work, and evoke nostalgic feelings of visiting grandparents or family friends who immigrated to Canada.

This exhibition gives space to both Dmytruk’s art and objects from the Museum’s collection, allowing visitors to appreciate each on their own terms while tracing subtle connections between his work and the colours, patterns, and forms of Ukrainian material culture.

We invite you to visit in person to experience Testament • Zapovit and explore these connections for yourself. On view until October 17, 2026. Learn more…

ANNUAL MEMBERS’ MEETING

UMCO held its 2025 Annual Members’ Meeting online on June 25, 2026. We are grateful to all members who joined us and continue to support the Museum’s work!

At this year’s meeting, we reflected on a year of renewal, growth, and planning for the Museum’s future. The Board and Staff shared updates on UMCO’s evolving role as both a museum and a community-rooted cultural institution, as well as exhibitions, outreach, and long-term plans as we continue our work preserving Ukrainian cultural heritage in Canada. We also welcomed two new members to our board of directors: Nadia Gereliouk and Malvina Shust, and look forward to the experience, commitment, and energy they will bring to our Museum.

With deep gratitude, we extend our sincere thanks to outgoing board members Lila Lapczak, Olenka Wasley and Marianna Zaparyniuk for their many years of dedication to the Museum. Their leadership, service, and lasting legacy have made a huge impact in growing the Museum and have created a strong foundation for our future. Щиро дякуємо! 🙏

Printed copies of our 2025 Annual Report will be available at the Museum in coming weeks. For more information about membership, please visit umcontario.com

This exhibition displays Dmyruk’s work alongside the material culture that inspired him, drawn from the permanent collection of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada – Ontario Branch. Together, these pieces explore post-WW2 Ukrainian immigration to Canada and aspects of Ukrainian culture that have endured despite russian efforts to erase them.

Organized by the Ukrainian Museum of Canada (National), Testament – Zapovit premiered in 2024 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and is presented in Toronto by the Ukrainian Museum of Canada – Ontario Branch.

Have you visited the Museum recently? We’d love to hear about your experience — please fill out our short feedback form and help us grow.

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The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch is a member of the
Canadian Museums Association and the Ontario Museum Association,
and is located inside St.Volodymyr Institute.