Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum will offer its annual Slavic Easter egg decorating demonstrations and instructional workshops on Saturday, April 9 from 10:00 am to 12 noon and again from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This year the workshop will take place at the mansion’s former gatehouse at 55 Kemble St., Lenox, which is a separate entrance from Ventfort Hall.

This Eastern European tradition of creating intricate and beautifully decorated eggs has been passed down for generations. Lenox resident Tjasa Sprague, who will again lead the workshop, learned the technique many years ago from her Czechoslovakian mother, Maria Krofta.

The technique begins with unwashed eggs (provided by a local poultry farm) which have a residue-free shell surface. The Slavic Easter egg is a wax resistant technique which employs aniline dye later in the process. The decorating begins with drawing on the egg with wax, followed by immersion in the dye, with repeated wax drawing and dying as desired. The eggs are uncooked and are “blown” out after the decorating has been completed. The eggs may be displayed, when stored carefully, for an indefinite number of years.

The fee for each workshop, which includes all materials, is $35. Reservations are required and seats are limited. Children should be at least 12 years of age. Please note that all guests will be required to wear masks and bring proof of vaccination.

When registering please be sure to choose the time you plan to attend, either in the morning or afternoon.