One-of-a-Kind Hand-Blown Whiskey Glass Sets
with Shumka-60 Branding and Silver Appliqué
Shumka is excited to offer local glass artist and Shumka alumnist Todd Safranovich’s hand-blown whiskey glasses in this online auction to help raise money for the organization during the pause in the Whirlwind. We are so thankful to Todd for his generosity & this unique idea. Your generosity will help to sustain artistic excellence and our ongoing educational outreach efforts as well as to provide vital support to help Shumka plan and prepare for the future.
There are only 12 pairs of these limited edition whiskey glasses signed by the artist.
Todd Safronovich
Todd was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. He started Ukrainian dancing at 5 years old, and at 17, joined the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Todd has many great memories of his Shumka experience, including performing at the Calgary Olympics in 1988, the tour of Ukraine in 1990, as well as the tour of Canada in 1991.
After retiring from Shumka in 1992, Todd attended the School of Crafts and Design at Sheridan College in Ontario, initially interested in pursuing a career in furniture design. It was there that he was introduced to working with hot glass. Glass blowing is very much like a dance. The glass artist must work smoothly, and with a rhythm. Todd knew that he had found his medium, and that the skills he had learned with Shumka would serve him well in a transition to this intriguing art form.
In 2011, Todd built his own studio in Edmonton, Alberta, where he currently enjoys creating unique and functional glassware. His work is frequently inspired by the compatibility of glass with different media and materials. In his latest series, Todd has been fusing photographic images onto glassware that celebrate friends, family, and great memories.
Todd says “The Shumka series of glasses were created as a thank you to Shumka – for cherished friends and great experiences! We hope these glasses will be used during times of celebration, as well as everyday occasions – reminding ourselves to appreciate and savour the small joys too. Congratulations on Shumka’s 60 year anniversary. Na Zdorovya!”
A tax receipt will be issued for a portion of the purchase price based on CRA regulations. The retail value of the glasses is $80 for the pair.
