Madison Living
Christmas Card Lane
Nadiya Smyrnova entered the Christmas Card Lane contest to share her art with
the world.
“In Ukraine, I didn’t have (many) opportunities to express my passion fo
r art;
however, here, there are numerous ways I can share my love for art with
others. I
intend to grab every opportunity,” she said.
Smyrnova moved to Madison in 2012 “in hope for better education
.” After
graduating from Madison Academy, Smyrnova chose a double major of fi
ne arts
and business at Calhoun Community College.
Sponsored by Madison Art Council, Christmas Card Lane has three options f
or a
card’s theme: traditional, religious or whimsical. “Even though I’ve en
tered my
sketches to each section, the judges always chose my religious drawings,”
Smyrnova said. In 2014 “My Christmas” won first place in People’s Choice
voting; “Holy Night” won in 2015.
Her card for 2016 also will reflect a religious setting.
“I love driving through Christmas Card Lane displays. Not only does it prepar
e
you for Christmas mood, but it also makes you appreciate all the other tal
ented
artists,” Smyrnova said. “It’s truly one of my favorite things to do in winte
r.”
Smyrnova said a passion for art runs in her family.
“
My mom, dad and
grandparents are all great artists. I simply didn’t have a choice in
the matter. I
was born with absolute obsession for art.
”
She can sculpt, draw and paint in any
media. For her Christmas cards, she uses regular acrylic paints, paint markers
and even Sharpies. “I’m not a patient person, so I don’t paint for
long,” she said.
Her paintings for Christmas Card Lane have required the most time
–
about three
weeks per card. “Some paintings take longer. For example, when I p
aint murals,
it takes twice as long because of the wall’s size and setting up the ladd
er and
moving it,” Smyrnova said.
Smyrnova has won numerous art contests, including Cornell University Fashi
on
Contest, River of Words, Google, Daughters of American Revolution and
Crayola.
Smyrnova plans to transfer from Calhoun to the University of Alabama
in
Huntsville in 2017 and then to Cornell University in New York for a docto
rate in
art and business.
For more information about Smyrnova’s art, call 256-652-7558, em
ail
Nadiya.A.Smyrnova@gmail.com or visit Facebook/Nadiya Smyrnova.
“Christmas Card Lane was brought to life by MAC Past President Shrail Heinri
ch
in 2014,” MAC President Tina Clark said. Clark and Sandy Sparks now are
co-
chairing the displays. “Each year, the event improves with new artists who
create
versions of beautiful scenes to represent their visions of the holiday se
ason.”
Nadiya Smyrnova is no exception, Clark said. “Her vision has been a win
ning
combination of artistic talent. As she says, ‘A vision of her home in Ukrain
e.'”
