Shadow Box Nature Assemblage

Are you constantly collecting natural curiosities and ephemera? Do you have boxes or drawers filled with seed pods, feathers, bones, curiously shaped stones, and pinecones? Many of us are drawn to collect strange little bits of nature but often are unsure of how best to honor those tiny spirits. Join Jess for a workshop on tips for preserving these beauties and honoring them in a way that they can be enjoyed for years to come.

Shadow boxes are a beautiful option for creating miniature shrines to items that you hold dear. They can help to preserve the essence of a place, the memory of a loved one, or simply to pay homage to the natural world. Please feel free to bring along some small items from your own collection, or you may choose from a variety of items provided by your instructor. This class will teach some techniques and guide you with ideas, but it will largely be an open and welcoming space for you to connect with your own creativity. Together we will open up our innate desire to create, with no expectations or pressure.

Supplies included in this class:

-Small Shadow Box

-Adhesives, Pins, Paints, and other Creative Tools

-A Selection of Curiosities (moss, dried flowers, paper ephemera, etc.)

-Students are encouraged to bring their own small collected items to include in their artwork

Jess is a Denver-based artist who creates small sculptures and jewelry using elements of nature. She finds inspiration in science, magic, and the natural world and explores themes of death, conservation, and the beauty of decay. The materials used in her artwork include insects, bones, moss, flowers, and crystals. She assembles these items into tiny environments called “Curioscapes”. They are inspired by the assemblages of natural curiosities found in the Wunderkammer, or Curiosity Cabinets of sixteenth century Europe.

The artist’s choice of material reflects her desire to highlight the beauty of the darker side of life. Many of the specimens found in her Curioscapes are imperfect, with broken wings, missing limbs, or faded colors. The specimens used in these pieces, found already dead and sometimes in states of decay, are preserved and given new life as pieces of art. Her art serves as a ritual practice, each piece created with intention and love, and honoring the creatures that are preserved within.

Jess holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art, and her love of insects has brought her back to school to study biology. She is a volunteer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science where she has been trained in pinning, preserving, and identifying insects. She is passionate about conservation and educating others about insects and other living creatures that are vital to our ecosystem.