April 2 – June 22, 2025
For more than a century, Ukrainian language press and publishing houses in Canada have contributed to our culture's global richness and stability. Trident Press (1910-2018) was one of Canada's first and longest-lasting Ukrainian/English publishers in Canada. Its weekly publication “The Ukrainian Voice” was distributed across Canada, with many news articles and photographic contributions coming from Alberta.
In 2018, Trident Press closed its doors, and over 5,000 printing blocks dating back over 100 years were destined for a dumpster. These blocks were salvaged by Canadian artist Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, who then assembled a creative team to help research, restore, and create Ukrainian Voice: A Legacy Mosaic – a public installation that pays tribute to the history of Ukrainian print culture and photojournalism in Canada.
Each of the 2,674 printing blocks is an image that previously accompanied a newspaper story, almanac article, or chapter in a book. The creators of the original blocks were skilled technicians who used fir, oak, walnut, or spruce as the wooden backing for a photograph etched onto a metal plate. They worked with writers and layout artists to bring the text to life. Their dedication to keeping the community informed became a foundational contribution to Canadian multicultural identity.
RAM is honoured to be the first institution to host this mosaic on its journey across Canada. From April 2 – June 22, visit Ukrainian Voice: A Legacy Mosaic on the main floor of the RAM lobby, beside the entrance to the Human History Hall. Note: this Mosaic is located past the paid admission point.
Celebrate Ukrainian Voice: A Legacy Mosaic with us
April 27, 2 pm
You’re invited to join us on April 27 as we celebrate the arrival of Ukrainian Voice: A Legacy Mosaic.
This community celebration begins at 2 pm with brief remarks from Mosaic artist and project lead Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, followed by a live performance by Edmonton’s Viter Ukrainian Dancers and Folk Choir. Join in as we proudly pay tribute to this project and legacy of Ukrainian people in Alberta, and Canada.
This event is included with your general admission and Mammoth Pass on April 27. Admission to RAM is always free for Canoo pass holders.
History of the Ukrainian Voice: A Legacy Mosaic Project:
Ukrainian Voice: A Legacy Mosaic is a testament to the power of collaboration. Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn (project lead), Theodora Harasymiw, and Sylvie Ellis, with the assistance of Mich Cheladyn, and Eric Fincham, and the support of the entire Ukrainian Canadian community, collaborated to pay tribute to Ukrainian Canadian journalism.
The vision was to create and install a large permanent mosaic of 100-year-old printing blocks salvaged when destined for the dump. Ultimately, the Mosaic will become a digitally interactive archive of stories from the Ukrainian Canadian community.
Over the course of 6 years, the core team has worked with an invaluable crew of university students and community volunteers who helped identify, clean, and ink each block in readiness for application. By popular demand, the creative team grew to include Edmonton-based sculptor Royden Mills, who masterminded the design of a modular structure that would accommodate multiple installations of a touring exhibit prior to final installation in a permanent location.
The Mosaic is modular and will tour across Canada until spring 2026, including stops in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Ottawa. RAM is the first public installation of the Mosaic.