Ashley-Kate Meador Royal (‘14): An Artistic Journey

Ashley-Kate Meador Royal (‘14) demonstrated her deep connection to the intricate art of Pysanky, or Ukrainian egg decorating, when she returned to CHS to teach a Lycée Day class last fall. Her husband Dalton and his family practices Orthodox Ukrainian traditions, and she learned the skills to cherish and practice this beautiful craft from her mother-in-law, Carol.

After a period of burnout following her Studio Art degree earned from Hollins University in 2018, Ashley-Kate has rediscovered her passion for art, especially with ceramics and quilting. She is looking forward to marketing her art soon, and also trying to modernize her traditional Ukrainian egg creations into more durable holiday ornaments. She’s experimenting with UV techniques and acrylic mediums to reduce their fragility, blending cultural heritage and artistic growth.

In addition to Ashley-Kate balancing her part-time customer service job with her artistic pursuits, her life has recently taken on new dimensions with the arrival of her baby daughter. As a new mom, she’s become adept at managing her time, as she’s learning how to be productive in small, precious increments dictated by her baby’s schedule.

Ashley-Kate’s dedication to sharing her knowledge and fostering creativity highlights her generous spirit and commitment to helping others grow. She is even considering offering another Lycée Day class in the future on quilting, and we certainly hope she does, as we would love to have her visit us again!