Art show gets Ukrainian couple out of country just prior to invasion

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- A Ukrainian couple is in Chattanooga as one of the artists has her art on display.

Victoria Kalaichi’s solo art exhibition is on display at the Townsend Atelier.

This trip was planned two years ago for her and her husband to come to the area, but the flight was one of the last to make it out of Ukraine.

They say not long after flying, they found out that Russia had invaded their country.

They say they are happy they are safe here but their heart is back in Ukraine.

“It was a big shock for us and we were thinking about our country, about our people, about our army. About this crazy situation, we may be so lucky to be here now but our heart is with our country,” said Kalaichi.

We will have more on this story Sunday night at 11 on News 12 including how this invasion has changed their life and how they use art to help them cope.