By Paula Peterson
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – After Russia invaded Ukraine, South Lake Tahoe resident Talia Koval Tyaglo knew she had to do something for her native country. After checking in on family and friends, Talia knew she couldn’t just sit and not do anything, so she turned her art into support of the Ukrainian people.
“Especially at times like this, art gives us hope and strength,” said Talia.
At first, Talia was in shock after the invasion, and then wanting to help she asked herself, “What can I do, what do I have to offer?”
Ten years ago the artist created a painting about Slava, Ukraine’s Goddess of Victory. It was part of her “Ukrainian Spirit-Beyond Borders” series of paintings to share and preserve vibrant Ukrainian traditions and rituals that help people grow strong and encourage people to live life fully on Ukrainian land and beyond.
Now everyone can have a print of it while supporting the Ukrainian people. All donations will go to trusted groups on the ground in Ukraine.
“The image demonstrates light and strength,” said Talia, much like the people of her native home.
Since creating the campaign, donations have been coming in and she has raised $5,000 to date on the 16 sales. The funds don’t have to go directly to her – If someone has donated to one of the groups listed on her website and takes a screenshot of the donation, she’ll mail the print to them.
Talia teamed with South Lake Tahoe native Damian Sowers, founder of Level Frames to get the work printed, framed, and shipped. Framing is separate and can be done directly through Level Frames where five percent of frame cost and 100 percent of the print goes to Ukraine.
“My heart breaks for what is going on,” said Talia. “It is filling up with the amount of support people are showing, seeing people who want to contribute is heart filling.”
Talia immigrated to San Francisco from Ukraine with her parents and grandmother when she was 10-years-old. When her father found a car at a junkyard and fixed it up, the family came to see Lake Tahoe. The mountains and beauty reminded her of the mountains of western Ukraine, and it felt like home, she said.
She has called the Tahoe area home for seven years.
People in Ukraine are connected to the land, which is demonstrated by the blue and yellow of its flag. The blue stands for the sky, the yellow is the golden land. She said people there respect the soil and the land.
Ukraine is known as “the breadbasket of Europe” as they export a lot of wheat and sunflower products, like seeds and oil. Ukraine also sells a lot of corn globally.
In the near future, Talia said she is looking into possibly painting sunflowers at Lakeview Commons for something that can raise money and support for Ukraine, but that idea is still developing, as well as others.
Since war broke out, support for the people of Ukraine has been on display around the country, as well as South Lake Tahoe where there have been protests as well as a collection of supplies to send to the country.
“It feels really good to be in this country and in Tahoe and see this happen,” said Talia of the support.
To buy the print or a digital version, visit https://taliakoval.com/support-ukraine/. On that webpage is also a list of trusted organizations to which people can donate. Every time she hits $1,000 in donations, the funds are on their way to Ukraine. Links to framing can be found there as well.
Also happening South Lake Tahoe, there is a collection bin at MacDuffs Pub, 1041 Fremont Ave. The bar/restaurant is also using proceeds from sales of Tahoe Tessie and other beers to cover the shipping costs to Poland, for further transport to Ukrainians.
There will also be an Urban Fit Dance Class at Omni Yogi on March 27 (see flyer above), organized by Talia and her friend, Lake Tahoe resident Julz, who is from Russia.
“With dance and art, you can stir up better energy, a healing energy
art at the time of war and times of tragedy that can lift a person’s spirit,” said Talia.
The class will be held in person and is also available remotely. The cost is a suggested donation of $25 and signups are available https://www.omnitahoe.com/.
Talia has been in touch with family and friends who still live in Ukraine. Some are in western Ukraine, others have gotten out safely, while some of the men are staying behind to fight. The draft age in the country is ages 18-61, so many are joining the battle.
She isn’t the only Ukrainian on the South Shore. There is another artist as well as one of the area’s most beloved residents, Lisa “The Angel of Tahoe” Maloff.
“Thank you to the Tahoe community,” said Talia. “I don’t know if I wouldn’t have been able to get through this without the support. It’s awesome to be part of the community.”