Artist: Kelen Nora Wright
Title: Kupala
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 14x 20 in.
Artist Statement: 
During the very height of summer, Slavic peoples celebrate Rusalka Week— the one time a year where water spirits are able to leave their lakes, rivers, and bogs to make mischief on dry land. Rusalka Week culminates on Kupala, the shortest and most magical night of the year. Kupala is the ideal day to gather herbs and divine your future. Here are a few different methods of divination or wishing with your kupalskii venok:
Collect wildflowers for your wreath thinking about your wish or desire, but not paying attention to which flowers you are choosing. If after crafting your wreath, it turns out that you used exactly 12 different types of flowers to make it, your wish will come true.
Release your wreath into a river. The farther your wreath floats downstream, the more happiness for your coming year. If it quickly sinks, you’ll be married soon. If it floats back to your side of the river, you’re due for extra difficulty in the coming year.
Toss your wreath into a bonfire at the same time as your friends. Whoever’s wreath burns first will be first married.