The Art of Quillwork at Smithsonian - National Museum of the American Indian
*The event has already taken place on this date: Sat, 03/14/2026
Indigenous peoples of the Americas have long decorated clothing and objects with porcupine quills to show care, respect, and love. Quillwork is a creative and skillful tradition passed down through generations. Learn how the art of quillwork is used to create something special at the National Museum of the American Indian. Join artists Joe Big Mountain (Mohawk, Cree, Comanche), Sunshine Big Mountain (Oneida of Wisconsin), and Anthony Hernandez (Northern Paiute) as they share their stories and demonstrate quillwork techniques. Curator Anya Montiel (Mestiza/Tohono O'odham descent) will be on hand for a tour of the special installation Making a Statement, which features work by Joe Big Mountain. Young visitors and their families can stop by the imagiNATIONS Activity Center to learn how deer hide becomes clothing and accessories. Then, design your own rawhide artwork with colorful floral patterns inspired by objects in the National Museum of the American Indian collection.
Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.
SCHEDULE, ALL EVENTS ON LEVEL 3
Overlook
11 AM–1 PM and 2–4 PM | Quillwork Artist Demonstrations
- Joe Big Mountain (Mohawk, Cree, Comanche), Sunshine Big Mountain (Oneida of Wisconsin), and Anthony Hernandez (Northern Paiute) demonstrate various quillwork techniques and share their stories.
Making a Statement special installation
11AM–12 PM and 2–3 PM | Culture Connections: Quillwork
- Interact with hands-on objects to deepen your understanding of quillwork and its use by Indigenous communities across North America with the help of a museum expert.
1 PM | Curator and Artist Tour: Making a Statement
- Listen and learn as curator Anya Montiel (Mestiza/Tohono O'odham descent) offers a closer look at the Making a Statement special installation in conversation with Joe Big Mountain (Mohawk, Cree, Comanche).
imagiNATIONS Activity Center
11 AM–1 PM and 2–4 PM | imagiNATIONS Creations: Rawhide Bracelets
- Discover how deer hide becomes clothing and accessories and learn why decoration is important in expressing your roots. Afterward, design your own rawhide artwork using colorful floral patterns inspired by pieces from the museum collection.
Image: Photos by Norwood Photography
| Event Location | Level 3, various locations |
|---|---|
| Cost | FREE |
| Related Exhibition | Making a Statement |
Location:
National Museum of the American Indian, 4th Street Southwest, Washington, DC, USA
See map: Google Maps
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.
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General Information
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The event has already taken place on this date:
03/14/2026
Time:
11 am - 4 pm
Price:
FREE
Ages
All Ages Adults & kids together Adults without kidsWeb Service