Tuesday, March 25 + Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 12 – 4pm
Learn the ancient art of quillwork embroidery from a contemporary master. Used by many tribal groups throughout North America, traditional quillwork is a form of surface decoration that involves stitching porcupine quills onto treated deer skin using natural sinew. Historically, quillwork waned as many tribal artists turned to beadwork as an alternative for decorating personal items. Learn the basic stitches of quillwork including stitchwork and quill wrapping. Gain insight into this rich indigenous form of hand-stitching and the many steps and patience it requires. Recommended for students who have some experience or working with beadwork and/or hand embroidery.
Materials fee is $5, payable to the instructor at the time of class.
See Joe’s work in our galleries now! Porcupine Quillwork: Lost and Found is on view in the Mary Giles gallery through April 12, 2025. Join us for a special Art Speaks Thursday, March 27 with Joe as he shares details of his artistic practice and his journey of becoming a self-taught master of the ancient art of quillwork.
Instructor Bio:
Joe Savage (he/him) is a Saint Paul-based artist and traditional quillworker, originally from Cloquet, MN and a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. Over the years, Joe has become a self-taught master of the ancient art of quillwork embroidery. His creative practice is the culmination of over 25 years of research, as quillwork has grown to become a grounding and self-defining aspect of his identity. Joe enjoys working with older styles of quillwork, natural dyes, and local materials and techniques including natural sinew (tendon fibers) and deer buckskin tanned the old way. He follows animals and plants through the seasons to source materials and has drawn inspiration for his contemporary works by studying artifacts from previous centuries. Joe’s quillwork has won him many Best-of-Show awards at Native American art shows in the United States.
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