Butterfly Pinning Workshop: Alpine Swallowtail

Date: Saturday, Sept. 13th

Time: 1:00 PM

Location: 128 S Main St, New Hope, PA 18938

Duration: 1 hour

The Alpine black swallowtail (Papilio maackii) is prized for its unusual iridescent coloring, which ranges from black, to green, to blue and even purple. In this workshop, you will learn how to pin this gorgeous insect to prepare it for framing - a skill that you'll be able to apply to preparing other butterflies as well! You will also practice framing a butterfly.

At the end of the workshop, you will walk away with one framed butterfly art piece, as well as a swallowtail that you'll be able to frame on your own once it's dry!

All specimens and materials are included in the class cost including: two butterflies, an entomology spreading board, entomology pins, pinning tape, and a shadowbox frame for each student to work on and take home with them.

No previous experience necessary. Families are welcome, but since we will be working with sharp pins and extremely delicate insects, this class is open to ages 13 and up. If you or your child would like to simply watch the class without participating, we’d love to have you. You can grab an observer ticket for $20 per person when you arrive.

Rest assured that no animals are ever harmed for classes or art in our shop. All of our butterflies are raised in ethics-forward butterfly farms, where they live out their full lifespan and are collected after their natural death. These farms help preserve native butterfly populations, as well as provide employment to locals.