Press advisory
Immediate release
Contact: Pat LaMarche
Epicjourney10@gmail.com
207 671 0190

Art from the Front Lines
Ukrainian Artists featured in Carlisle Art Gallery
Hours Available for Live Discussions with the Artists

Beginning February 12, 2026, running through Feb 28, 2026.
At G.B. Stuart Gallery, 33 West High Street, Carlisle, PA 17013
Hours of operation – Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Reception on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
February 24, 2026, 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Featuring Ukrainian food and music.

Artists will speak live with members of the central Pennsylvania community
via Riverside on-line studio. Scheduled virtual visits are ten minutes in length, Feb 12 and 13, Noon to 1 p.m. and Feb 24, during the reception 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Members of press are welcome to chat with the artists on the front line as well. Reservations available by emailing epicjourney10@gmail.com

Interpreters will be provided.

Some of the featured artwork is attached and three of the artists have provided their bios here below.

Snizhana Buniakina, 34, is a talented Ukrainian artist and educator at the Lozova School of Art, known for skillfully blending classical art with modern technologies. Her creative practice spans painting, graphics, and sculpture, marked by emotional depth, experimentation, and meticulous attention to detail.

A teacher of the new generation, Ms. Snizhana introduces innovative teaching methods and actively integrates digital technologies into the artistic process, inspiring her students to explore bold, imaginative paths. Her pupils have already gained international recognition, including awards at competitions in South Korea.

Snizhana Buniakina is a vivid example of a contemporary artist and mentor whose mission is to awaken in every child the power of creativity, the freedom of self-expression, and a deep love for art.

Hello, I’m Yulia Bilous, an artist. I paint what fills my heart. My murals are art that goes beyond the pages of my sketchbook — it’s my dialogue with the city and its residents. I’m inspired by the transformation of a gray concrete wall into a burst of colors.

An essential part of who I am is the desire to teach others — both adults and children. At the Youth Library, I conduct workshops in various techniques: traditional folk painting, mostly Petrykivka, contemporary acrylic painting, gouache, and I feel especially inspired when I teach watercolor. For me, painting is about emotions in the moment and the joy of progress.

Olena Paramieieva, 54, is a Ukrainian artist, educator, and director of the Lozova School of Art. Her work spans painting, graphics, and sculpture, characterized by emotional depth, refined form, and a rich, sensitive palette. A true master of hercraft, Ms. Olena is also a passionate mentor whose students regularly represent Ukraine at international art competitions in Prague, Paris, London, and beyond. She has personally taken part in prestigious art events across Spain, Portugal, the UK, France, Switzerland, and Italy. For her outstanding contribution to the arts and the education of young talents, she was awarded the distinguished title of Chevalier of the Order of the French Academy of Arts.

Olena Paramieieva is a remarkable example of an artist in every sense of the word. Her creative work blends academic excellence with heartfelt emotion, while her teaching reflects a deep love of art and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child.

Press Release
For immediate release

Contact: Pat LaMarche
Epicjourney10@gmail.com

Books About the Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Available to Kids for Free!

The Charles Bruce Foundation – in coordination with ECYEH, the Education of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness are giving books to school aged children throughout central Pennsylvania. The books, Kursid Kids Winter Turns, feature a fantastic cast of characters – including a family experiencing homelessness. In the book, an uneven world provides situations where great wealth is had by a few, at the expense of the many who struggle to keep society moving forward. The Kursid family – when discovered living in the woods – move in with a friend. This condition – experienced by hundreds of thousands of children in the U.S. is referred to as “doubled up.”

The US Department of Education numbers say that 2% of Pennsylvania school kids are currently experiencing homelessness. That’s nearly 40,000 children who have no permanent, stable home. It’s important for those kids to see themselves in literature, but it’s also important for their peers to understand homelessness as well. Sonia Pitzi, Regional Coordinator for central Pa’s region 3, ECYEH will be distributing the books to children, parents, grandparents and caring loved ones throughout the month of March.

Additionally – the books are available for free during regular business hours at Whistlestop Bookshop, 129 West High Street in Carlisle and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cumberland Valley, 2 Forge Road, Boiling Springs. Call ahead to the church for times.

Rev. Chris Kapp, pastor at UUCV, voiced excitement to be part of a program getting books about homelessness into the hands of young people. “In this age of banning books and trying to push marginalized people further into the shadows, the Kursid Kids books amplify the voices of our unhoused neighbors.” Kapp continued, “Our mission here at UUCV is to transform lives and care for the world. Putting books like these in the hands of local children is one small, practical way to do that.”

Karen Eckrich, board member for the Charles Bruce Foundation voiced her appreciation to the Partnership for Better Health which has provided on-going financial support for the support of juvenile literacy and the distribution of books. Eckrich has experienced homelessness and knows how important understanding the issue can be when it comes to seeking solutions. “Kursid Kids Winter Turns is an imperative read for kids and their adults!” Highlighting the fact that the book was co-authored by a ten-year-old boy concerned about the kids in his school that have no homes, Eckrich continued, “Penned by a child, it shows great empathy for the Kursid Family as they attempt to survive in the Magnates world.”

Eckrich added, “Kursid Kids Winter Turns gives kids an inside view on how their homeless school mates survive.”

Kursid Kids Winter Turns is a self-contained second installment of a trilogy written by Ronan Russell and his grandmother, journalist and national homeless advocate, Pat LaMarche. Kursid Kids Winter Turns is published by the Charles Bruce Foundation located in Carlisle, Pa.

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Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Pat LaMarche
Epicjourney10@gmail.com

31 July 2023

Call For Submissions – Drawing and Writing
Charles Bruce Foundation Invites Youth to Create Content for New Book

Carlisle, Pennsylvania based non-profit publisher, the Charles Bruce Foundation, announced plans to publish a compilation of work written and illustrated by children. Foundation founder, Chad Bruce, explained the idea, “We’ve worked with young illustrators for nearly a decade now with our annual Coloring and Caring book that is published each fall. Based on the enormous success we had this past year with Kursid Kids – a story told by an eight-year-old, we think it’s time to branch out to a compilation book written by children as well.”

Kursid Kids, a story by Ronan Russell and published in December of 2022 by the Charles Bruce Foundation hit number two nationally for juvenile fiction in the science fiction/fantasy category. “We know kids have great stories inside them. We want to them to unlock those tales and send them into us. There is no geographical boundary and no age requirement to their submissions. And young people can send their artwork as well. So, kids, send us your poetry, your doodles, the product of your imaginations by August 1, 2024, and our team will select pieces for the book,” added board member, Chris Kapp.

“We aren’t just doing a call for submissions. We will have monthly zoom meetings available after school (the second Tuesday of each month) and on weekends (fourth Saturday of each month), the schedule will also be on the website. During those zooms, kids can talk to mentors – in both art and writing – who will help them with their projects,” explained Max Goller, board member and retired English teacher from Hamilton Southeastern School District, Hamilton County, Indiana.