Local Ukrainian Artist Raises $4,000 for Refugees
Castro Valley residents Julia Kosivchuk and her husband Ross are from the same town in Ukraine. And while their relatives back home were forced to flee the horrors of the Russian invasion, Julia says her heart is open to the entire country of 47 million people whose lives were changed in an instant.
“One day you are having a cup of coffee in a market square with blue skies above. The next day, you are a refugee with everything you own in one backpack,” Julia told the Forum.
Kosivchuk is an accomplished artist, journalist, and martial arts teacher who has been in Castro Valley since October 2020. The family moved from Berkeley where they had been living since Ross landed a programming job 16 years ago.
This past Saturday, the family opened not only their hearts but their backyard as well to host an open studio to sell Julia’s artwork with 100% of proceeds going to refugee relief. The event raised more than $4,000. They are able to send the money to groups that help Ukrainian refugees in the parts of Ukraine which are not (yet) at war, and also to places that have accepted and are assisting the refugees in Romania and Poland.
As of this week, more than three million Ukrainian refugees have crossed into neighboring countries since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Kosivchuk’s sister and her two kids are among those who just ran away with what they had in tiny backpacks, leaving everything behind. Ross says his mother moved in with his brother out of harm’s way.
“It is heartbreaking when you see the families separated, especially when parents need to leave the kids behind,” she said tearfully.
Much of Julia’s artwork is done with oil or acrylic paint on canvas and wood, but she is also known for her watercolors and even painting with nail polish.
“People don’t realize that artists like this are undervalued,” said Bob Frankfurt, a longtime friend, and patron of Julia’s creations. “Her designs are so diverse and vibrant. Every year, I contract her to paint something for my birthday. I have walls in my home that she has transformed into murals. She’s amazing.”
Kosivchuk’s hometown of Chernivtsi is located in southwestern Ukraine near the Romania and Moldova borders. Roughly the size and population of Fremont, it's known for the Chernivtsi National University–founded in 1875–which features Romanesque and Byzantine architecture.
In addition to donating money to Ukrainian refugee relief, Julia has donated painting proceeds to help an organization in Ukraine dedicated to assisting women who run away from domestic violence and another non-profit that helps families whose children are battling cancer. She has also joined other Bay Area Ukrainians in protesting the Russian attacks and calling for peace.
“I believe whatever happens happens for a reason and if there is an opportunity to help them I will do what I can,” she said.
You can see more of Julia’s work on her website: julias-palette.com/.