Daisies, Leaves, and Lizards: Creating Natural History with Beads and Wire

Join artist, writer, and naturalist Edie Dillon for a hands-on introduction to French beading, a centuries-old art form that uses seed beads and wire to create realistic flowers and botanical forms. Originating in Italy and France during the 1500s, French beading was traditionally used for religious decorations and elaborate ceremonial displays. In this workshop, participants will learn the basic techniques of the craft while creating their own beaded botanical artwork inspired by the flora of the Mogollon Highlands. The workshop will take place at the Natural History Institute, where participants can also explore The Rights of Nature: Expressions of Animacy, Interconnection, and Wholeness, Edie’s exhibition of mixed-media sculptures that examine the relationships between humans and the more-than-human world through themes of interdependence, reciprocity, and connection.