Here are the workshops we offered in 2015; programming submissions will be open soon!
The Curious World of Fungi
Presented by Peter McCoy
In this presentation we will cover some of the more strange and fascinating aspects of mushrooms and other fungi in the Pacific Northwest. Come and learn about some of the locally abundant and easy to identify species along with their ecological importance and how to work with them as food, medicine, and more.
The Proper Care of Carnivorous Plants
Presented by Jeff Dallas
Think you should put a Venus fly trap or sundew in your terrarium? Think again! Join Jeff Dallas of Sarracenia Northwest as he explains the proper care and housing of carnivorous plants, and why you may want to have one of these unusual life forms in your collection.
Exceptionally High Voltage Apparatus of the 19th Century
Presented by Don Anderson
Nikola Tesla was one of the greatest geniuses of the 19th Century, inventing the AC motor, radio, and our present electrical power system. We will discuss his life, and his inventions up thru 1905. He invented the Tesla Coil in 1890 to generate Extremely High Voltage power that he planned to send wirelessly around the world. A 500,000 volt Tesla Coil that generates spectacular three foot long arcs will be used in various experiments, along with a 100,000 volt Induction Coil and a Jacobs Ladder.
Taxidermy a Beastie! Do it Yourself But Learn to Do it Right
Presented by SkullGrrl Darien
Here’s our hands-on taxidermy workshop! You will get your very own rat to gut, stuff and pose, and then you take it home. All materials provided except imagination. Co-presented with Adam Prawlocki and special guest Alexandra Kosmides! (Materials cost $20, payable at the event)
How to Make a Monster: Creating Memorable Creatures
Presented by Adam J. Prawlocki
A quick and dirty primer on how to make your creatures really shine. Learn how comparative anatomy, sculpting tricks, and a little movie magic can turn a common critter into a credible cryptid.
Coiled Basketry with Invasive Species
Presented by Peter Michael Bauer
Coiling is one of the three major families of basket weaving. Many cultures from around the world have used the coiling method to create beautiful and strong baskets. In this class you will learn the basics of coiling using various invasive species to weave a small basket. We will also cover various invasive plants that work well for this style, and demonstrate how to harvest and prepare them for weaving.
The Zymoglyphic Museum
Presented by Jim Stewart
An overview of the Zymoglyphic Museum, its collections, and its position as a modern wunderkammer
Inside J.W. Kinsey’s Artifice: Handcrafted Objects of Wonder
Presented by J.W. Kinsey
Makers, creators and artisans, are you looking to expand your repertoire of tools and techniques? This presentation offers an in-depth look at the processes, methodologies, and techniques implemented by J.W. Kinsey’s Artifice, a world-class custom design and fab shop. Over 500 process photos will be presented and discussed, illustrating tooling, construction approaches, casting concepts, concept art and design, as well as a comprehensive portfolio. This presentation is designed with serious makers and designers in mind.
Resurrecting Dead Cosmetics: Historical Inspiration and Cosmetic Crafting
Presented by Kim Damio
As a cosmetic crafter, I have been heavily influenced by historical sources. Historical beauty recipes can be creatively inspiring, educational, and surprisingly accessible. They can also be difficult to interpret, hard to recreate, or even dangerous. Please join me as I relate some of my successful—and less successful—experiences adapting period formulas for modern use.
Weapons as Cultural Curios
Presented by Stephen Couchman
A civilizations’ tools of warfare and defense can tell us much about their history, technology, and values. Learn tips on weapon collecting/curating and discuss the relative merits of antiques, reproductions, and “tourist art” weaponry.
Chinook Indians and the Folklore of Food
Presented by Heather Arndt Anderson
A great deal of the Chinook Indian’s worldview was based on the notion that food was symbiotically linked to people. For Portland’s first people, all food was anthropomorphized. It was not just the birds and fish that told their stories, but roots and berries had a say in the myths as well. As they did with all aspects of life, the Chinook imbued the practices of hunting, fishing and gathering with their all-encompassing spirituality. This talk examines the folklore behind Chinookan people’s foodways.
The Altar of Curiosities
Presented by Lupa
In recent years, there’s been a resurgence in interest in cabinets of curiosity featuring natural history specimens, ancient artifacts and other wonders. The altar of curiosities combines the conscious aesthetics of the classic wunderkammer with the meditative focus of the spiritual altar. Lupa discusses how to find and display curiosities, how to incorporate them into your spiritual practice, how to work with antique and otherwise secondhand sacred items, and more!
Leaf Print Scarves & Natural Dyes
Presented by Sarah Hill
Participants will learn the basics of dying fibers with natural materials, including material selection, mordants, and possible local and invasive dye plants, and resources on regional dye stuffs. We will put some of these principals to action while imprinting local leaves on silk scarves. (Materials cost $5, payable at the event)
Wet Felted Bags
Presented by Sarah Hill
Beginning with raw sheep wool, participants will learn the process of wet felting with a resist, producing a small pouch with an antler or black walnut button. The principals covered in this class can be applied to other projects such as felted booties, hats, or larger bags and pouches, and this is a great beginner project for anyone interested in felting. (Materials cost $5, payable at the event)
Curious Gallery Show and Tell
Open to all attendees
Do you have some neat antique or natural history specimen you’d like to share with others? Got some oddity that you haven’t been able to identify? Or are you just interested in other people’s collections of the weird and wonderful? Here’s where you can bring in skulls and tiny terrariums, ancient relics and modern recreations, and share them with like-minded people!
Flint Knapping – The Art of Making Tools From Stone
Presented by Tony Deland
I will be demonstrating flint knapping by making arrow heads and spear points using traditional tools and obsidian. Come find out about this ancient art that has been instrumental to our species’ success for thousands of years!
Steel Sculpture/Torch Welding Demonstration and Workshop
Presented by David Gonzalez
I will be demonstrating how to manipulate and weld metal into creative, flowing and unique sculpture with the oxygen acetylene torch. If patrons are wanting to have something small created, they can help with the creation process. They will learn a bit about steel, welding and tools. Please note that this workshop will be held outside on the venue grounds; please dress appropriately for the weather. Materials fees $5-$10 depending on what you make, payable at event.
What is Rewilding?
Presented by Peter Michael Bauer
What is rewilding? Director of local non-profit Rewild Portland will give a talk on the emerging cultural movement. What is it? Why is it important? How does it relate to the Curious Gallery?
Raptors, Rodents, and Regurgitation: A Dissection of Owl Pellets
Presented by Amanda Fisher
Participants will discover what owls have for midnight snacks as they dissect an owl pellet and take home their findings. The types of bones will be identified, as well as tips on cleaning, protecting, and using your bones for artistic purposes. (Materials cost $5, payable at the event)
Out With It!: How to Talk to People About Your More Morbid Interests
Presented by Chelsea Mascari
Come discuss the difficult topics of how to tell your family you’re interested in hides, bones, and other dead things, how to deal with opposition, and learn how to “Open The Front Door” with communication.
Make a Tiny Air Plant Terrarium!
Presented by Julie McGowan
Come join Julie McGowan in making small air plant terrariums! Use a container of your choosing, customize it with substrate, and decorate it in various ways– with paint, rocks, yarn, and so much more to make a cozy home for an air plant that you get to take home! Materials will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring some of your own, too. (Materials cost $10, payable at the event)
Cleaning, Preservation, and Art of Animal Bones
Presented by Carla Brauer
Learn how to prepare, clean, and finish skulls and other bones for display, collections, or art. This panel will go over the procurement of raw specimens, how to prepare animal parts prior to cleaning, and the most effective cleaning methods: dermestid beetle colonies and masceration. This will include an overview of the care, maintenance and breeding of beetles as well as the risks and rewards of keeping them. Degreasing and whitening techniques will be discussed, as well as articulation and ideas for using or altering finished bones as art.
Lupa, Chelsea Mascari, Skullgrrl Darien, Katie of Urban Nature Taxidermy
In recent years taxidermy has become rather trendy, but what’s it take to be a modern-day taxidermist? In this group panel we’ll discuss what taxidermy is (and isn’t), some basics of legalities and ethics, where to get supplies and how to start creating your own taxidermy creations. We’ll also have a Q&A session, so bring your questions about this ancient art in the 21st century!
Liv Rainey-Smith, Jim Stewart, Adam Prawlocki
In the classic wunderkammer, the “wonders” weren’t just your run-of-the-mill natural history specimens; they also included medical oddities, strange mutated specimens, and supposed remnants of fabulous creatures known only to myth and legend. Our panelists will discuss this stranger side to the cabinet of curiosities, including how you can create a weird collection of your own, and a chance to ask our panelists any questions you may have about the weirder side of the cabinet of curiosities!