Photo Credit: American Folk Art Museum & Grant Jonathan, Tuscarora Raised Beadwork, 2026. Courtesy of the artist.
Join us for Embroidery Night School, a hands-on embroidery presentation and workshop series conceived with the artist and activist Spandita Malik in conjunction with the exhibition Locating Girlhood: Place and Identity in Early American “Schoolgirl” Art.
Inspired by the knowledge-sharing model of the stitching workshop, the program will offer participants the opportunity to experiment with historic sewing techniques while reflecting on the connections between textile work, community, and social change.
For the second evening of the series, Grant Jonathan will share his knowledge of Tuscarora Raised Beadwork. Known within the Tuscarora community as the “hump” or “rope” stitch, this technique creates three-dimensional shapes by sewing beads in raised arches or by layering beads over beads. During the workshop, participants will learn how to make a tiny, beaded heart pincushion using this historical Indigenous art form.
The Dialogue + Studio Workshop series offers participants opportunities to gain insight into and engage with self-taught art, past and present, at a deep level. Focused discussions about select themes, techniques, and materials featured in current exhibitions are paired with related expert-led hands-on workshops.
This program is organized by Mathilde Walker-Billaud, AFAM Curator of Programs and Engagement.
Register here: Dialogue + Studio: Embroidery Night School with Grant Jonathan Tickets, Thursday, November 12 • 6 PM – 8 PM | Eventbrite
