Diana Nadia Lawryshyn, a Toronto-based visual artist, has been awarded the 2026 REACH Mentorship/Residency for the Arts, a program of The Shevchenko Foundation in partnership with the Ihnatowycz Family Foundation.
The REACH Mentorship/Residency for the Arts offers up to $30,000 in funding and supports artists in pursuing mentorship, residency, training, research, and other professional development opportunities that advance their artistic practice.
Nadia Lawryshyn received $16,947 in funding for a nine-month self-directed residency exploring Byzantine-Ukrainian iconography. Her project, Byzantine-Ukrainian Iconography and Photomanipulation: Preservation of Historical Painting Techniques Through a Contemporary Lens, combines historical research, technical training, and artistic experimentation.
Through this residency, Nadia will study Byzantine and Ukrainian iconographic traditions, engage with scholarly and community-based research, and expand her practice through digital techniques. Her work aims to preserve and reinterpret Ukrainian cultural heritage through contemporary fine art and interdisciplinary approaches.
When notified of the award, Nadia shared, “I’m honoured to be this year’s recipient of the REACH Award. This support will allow me to pursue an important chapter in my practice: one in which I explore Canada’s role as a guardian of Ukrainian cultural heritage while contributing to its ongoing evolution.”
The REACH adjudication panel included contemporary artist and graphic designer Yurko Gutsulyak, internationally bestselling author Marsha Skrypuch, and Ukrainian Canadian director Alina Kulesh.
The jury was highly impressed by Nadia’s application, noting its strong artistic vision and thoughtful approach to research and professional development. Her proposal was recognized for bridging Ukrainian heritage and traditional art with contemporary practice, situating her work within a broader cultural and international context.
Yurko Gutsulyak noted that “although self-directed, Diana Nadia Lawryshyn’s residency proposal was clearly structured and communicated both its goals and the methods for achieving them.”
Marsha Skrypuch added, “Diana’s immersion in the art, history, and culture of Byzantine iconography will enable her to reinterpret this classical form through a modern lens, allowing us to consider how our deep past informs our present and our future.”
Alina Kulesh emphasized that Nadia’s application stood out for its clear focus on developing her artistic voice and contributing to contemporary cross-cultural dialogue.
The REACH Mentorship/Residency for the Arts supports artists who highlight Ukrainian heritage through their work and cultural engagement. Applicants must be actively involved in the arts sector in Canada and/or internationally and demonstrate a commitment to advancing their professional practice.
