Ukrainian sand artist Oksana Merhut: My teaching work is a mission, and teaching everything beautiful is a task of the soul

Oksana Merhut is a Ukrainian sand animation artist who continues to captivate not only Ukrainian art enthusiasts but also international audiences with her technique. Recently, the artist toured German cities with a magical program, raising funds to support the Ukrainian Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great. Oksana shared her thoughts on the beginning of her artistic journey, her European tour, and teaching children and adults in her own sand animation studio with Drive Music Media.

Interviewer: Oksana, you have been involved in sand animation for many years and have built a successful career. But there was a time when it all just began. How did the idea to start your creative journey in such an unusual art form as sand animation come about?

Oksana: In fact, my career as an artist and educator began at the start of my journey as a teacher. Teaching is truly a mission, and to educate in all things beautiful is a task of the soul. By profession, I am a primary school teacher, a teacher of Ukrainian language and literature, a designer-artist, and I hold a master's degree in educational institution management. After 23 years of working in education, when I decided to start my own business, I also chose to continue teaching children. I have always been interested in innovative techniques in art, and I implemented and adapted them in my work. When video materials featuring the use of sand began to appear online, I started exploring its possibilities. And so, in 2014, after mastering this new art form – sand graphics and animation – I wrote a teaching program as a methodologist with experience. This program won an award and received approval from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. That’s when the most interesting part began – exploring, along with my students, this new medium and the possibilities of conveying information and emotions through sand as a unique artistic and therapeutic tool.

In 2014, we opened the First Professional Sans Animation Studio. This name quickly became a brand within a year and became part of the Oksana Merhut Animation arts center. I began with just one sand table, which we initially used for quick physical exercises during art classes. I noticed that children enjoyed it, and beyond that, it had a healing effect, influencing people's mental states. After opening my school, I refined everything to a professional level. That’s also when I started performing with my own show programs featuring animations on various themes.

Interviewer: You had a large-scale charity tour across EU countries. Could you tell us more about it and how foreign audiences reacted to such an extraordinary art form as sand animation? What stories did you share with the viewers?

Oksana: My first and one of the most extensive tours took place in 2022. It consisted of several stages. We began with Independence Day (performing in Dresden and Hamburg), and in the fall, we continued with a tour lasting one and a half months – 36 performances across 18 concerts, which were mostly organized by volunteers to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. I created live sand stories about Ukraine, about the war, and depicted Ukraine's victory in my works. There were also sand tales for children. The audiences were, of course, amazed. Many had never seen sand animation live before. People approached me, expressed their gratitude, and engaged in conversation. The performances took place in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and Belgium. With the funds raised, we purchased two off-road vehicles for the frontlines. Recently, we returned from another small tour, which took us to four cities in Germany and the Czech Republic. We also traveled to Denmark for a street art festival. Occasionally, there are commercial offers of a private or corporate nature.

Interviewer: Recently, your sand animation studio resumed its work. Could you tell us about your work during the war? How do you motivate people to continue learning and engaging in creativity?

Oksana: Since the beginning of the war, we have turned our studio into a charitable initiative. For several months, we worked with children who had been displaced with their families to Khmelnytskyi. We held workshops, presented sand shows, and provided therapeutic support. Later, my daughter Olena and I decided to help our defenders by organizing concerts across Europe. When we return to Ukraine after these events, we continue our work in the studio. Both children and adults can purchase a membership and come to create in their free time. During the summer, camps also visit us. Creativity has a healing effect on the human body, and sand animation, in particular, is especially powerful. People open up more quickly when working with sand. It immediately reveals underlying issues, and as an energy practitioner, I can guide the process in the right direction, allowing people to work through specific emotions and restore their energy, ultimately leading to healing.

We offer various workshops in addition to sand graphics and animation. You can paint on water, create light art in the dark, work with chocolate, and try marshmallow sculpting. Adults can take courses in angel therapy, sacred geometry, neuro-creativity, painting, and other forms of energy art.

Interviewer: How and when did the name "Sand Fairy" come about? Who was the first to call you that?

Oksana: In 2018, I was invited by the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater in Ivano-Frankivsk to participate in the project "The Legend of the Holy Christmas," where I depicted Christmas legends in sand and played the role of the Christmas Angel, the very embodiment of the Christmas Legend, alongside little angels. My appearance resembled that of a fairy in white. Since then, people have called me the Sand Fairy, and it has become a way of life – creating miracles not only in sand but also through my presence. A month later, our Center, together with emcee Olesya Lazar from Chernivtsi, created the project "FIRE OF LOVE," which continues to travel the world, spreading love. This is a sand animation concert with a spoken narrative about values, and in each place, the Sand Fairy is accompanied by local little angels. Recently, we spread the Fire of Love in Bremerhaven, Hamburg, and Lübeck.

Interviewer: 2014 was a difficult year – the beginning of the war in Donbas. But even in such dark times, something bright can be created. This year marked the creation of your First Professional Sand Animation Studio. Let’s go back in time: how long did you work on opening your own studio, and what was the opening day like?

Oksana: I began studying this art form a few years before the studio’s opening. In 2012, we got our first sand table for an art club. The children would take a few minutes between tasks to emotionally unwind there. That’s when I had the idea to create a program for professional training. I developed it and submitted it to the "Creative Teacher – Gifted Student" competition, as I mentioned earlier. After winning the competition, the First Professional Sand Animation Studio started its work in September, enrolling eight initial classes. It all came together effortlessly, fueled by the idea, inspiration, and great enthusiasm.

Our opening took place in April, complete with TV coverage, a show program, and workshops held at the Khmelnytskyi Regional Youth Library, where we were based for a few years.

Interviewer: What is the program for children learning sand animation? Where do you start, and what paths lie ahead for students after completing their studies?

Oksana: The program consists of several blocks. There’s a therapeutic track, hobby classes, workshops, and professional training starting from age 7. The professional training lasts three years. The 4th year and beyond (if students wish) is dedicated to the Sand Theater, which focuses on concert performances. Our students have performed at various events and are skilled in creating sand films. Since the studio is part of the Animation Arts Center, students also study light animation, water animation, and other art forms. After completing their training, students are well-equipped to pursue careers as sand animation artists and performers.

Interviewer: What is the trend in the development of sand animation abroad? What have you identified for yourself, and what will be your next steps in this field?

Oksana: There’s still much to work on. In some countries, this art form is underdeveloped and not well-known. That’s why our current focus is on creating works in various genres that help people become aware of important things. Our animations carry vibrations of wisdom and have an educational nature. If we can convey something meaningful, we do so through sand, with soul, for you. I also plan to continue with charity concerts because it’s through such efforts that we can achieve victory more quickly.

Interviewer: Tell us about the technique of drawing with sand. How difficult is it to master this technique? Could you share some secrets of sand animation what might surprise someone who has never had the chance to draw with sand?

Oksana: The secrets and techniques are hard to describe in words. You really have to see it to understand. That’s why I invite everyone to my workshops. There, you can experience something different through contact with this magical material and the guidance of a skilled master.

Interviewer: You are currently planning another charity tour across EU countries. What will the program be, and what are your goals? You have been supporting and continue to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Can you tell us about your charitable activities? What is your current goal?

Oksana: During the war, my daughter and I have been on artistic journeys, and we recently returned from a tour through three countries. However, in the fall, we plan to travel again to cities in Germany where we haven't been yet, primarily in central and southern Germany. We also plan to perform in the United Kingdom, at a festival, and as the winner of the International "Golden Time Talent" competition – 2024, we plan to hold concerts in Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. A Christmas tour with animations across Europe will take place in November-December 2024.

We can enter into collaborations with organizations and individual clients. A significant portion of our concerts are charity events. We support the 14th Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great. Over time, we have acquired various forms of humanitarian, technical, and electronic aid. Reports on this can be found on my Facebook and Instagram pages.

Interviewer: What word would you like people to associate with your art?

Oksana:"Healing." I also have eternal hashtags #withsoulforyou and #SandFairyOfUkraine, under which you can find and view information about my activities. "With soul for you" because I pour my soul into every frame, and after my sand shows (and sometimes even just from a conversation), people experience miracles. Thank you for inviting me to this interview and for your interest in my work! Wishing growth for your publication! To all readers, may your dreams come true and may you have more creativity in your lives, as we are the creators of our own reality! Here’s to a swift victory for us all!

Photographers: Divar, Iryna Tomusiak, Taras Myzak