Behind the Scenes with Folk Imaginaries Curator Natalka Chomiak

A special online conversation via Zoom with Natalka Chomiak, curator of Folk Imaginaries: Ukrainian Clothing as Memory and Imagination.

Ms. Chomiak shares the story behind the exhibition—her own history of collecting, why this exhibition felt necessary now, and the cultural threads that inspired its bold, layered approach. She’ll explore why garments hold such powerful meaning, what it was like to work closely with the museum’s extraordinary textile collection, and why Ukrainian folk dress isn’t always what you think it is!

Natalka Chomiak was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta where she completed her secondary education. She moved to Toronto where she studied Slavic studies, North American and Eastern European history. Active in the student’s movement she subsequently worked with feminist organizations and as a community development organizer in the Ukrainian community. In Winnipeg she has worked in the non-profit sector as a volunteer and board member. Sustained by a love of art, craft, and fashion, she has pursued an informal education in these fields.

This was a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from the curator whose vision brought Folk Imaginaries to life.

Recorded on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 7:00 PM SCT.