Jenny Santa Maria
Jenny Santa Maria is a multifaceted talent as a teaching artist, art coach, and exhibiting artist from Farmingdale, NJ. She has created countless beautiful eggs over the years, many of which have been featured in notable publications, including the Wall Street Journal. She refers to her work as batik eggs, though the process is rooted in the traditional art of pysanky. Her work blends a modern aesthetic with personal symbolism, pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques. While associated with spring, Jenny designs eggs year-round using eggs from her free-range hens and beeswax from her own hives.
Jenny has been teaching pysanky for many years in diverse settings, including museums, galleries, libraries, and artist retreats throughout New England. Her enthusiasm for teaching is matched by her passion for exploring new techniques within this medium. While eggs themselves are ephemeral, she believes that the true art lies in sharing the process, preserving this folk tradition, and empowering others to recognize their own creative potential.
These carefully designed workshops foster a sense of shared humanity, encouraging participants to celebrate their cultural heritage while engaging in the creative process. The connections forged through this shared experience are among the greatest gifts that this precious art practice can offer. This meaningful and inclusive environment is a key reason why participants consistently leave her workshops with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the art, the culture, the history, and themselves.