Iroquois Embroidery & Raised Beadwork with Brittany Kiertzner
Delve into the rich traditions of Iroquois symbols through embroidery and raised beadwork techniques. Participants will be introduced to the cultural significance and history behind traditional intricate motifs and learn how to incorporate them into their creations. Kiertzner’s expertise and passion for preserving and sharing these artistic practices will provide students with a deep appreciation for the artistry and heritage of the Iroquois people.
In this hands-on workshop, students will have the opportunity to create a mixed-media artwork. Utilizing traditional Iroquois beadwork techniques on an 8 x 10″ stretched canvas (with a prepared wash), participants will compose and stitch a piece that reflects their personal style while honoring the cultural roots of the craft. This experience will not only to enhance students’ artistic skills but also foster a deeper understanding of and connection to the continuing Iroquois cultural legacy.
Workshop fee: $125—materials included.
Brittany Kiertzner is a mixed media and textile artist working in Southern California. Kiertzner studied fine art at California State University Fullerton and is an enrolled member of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. She explores critical materials that reframe her personal history into a contemporary context. Through a dynamic interplay of woven and stitched threads, her work is influenced by traditional Mohawk Iroquois splint basket making, embroidery and raised beadwork. She investigates themes of regeneration, authenticity and subversion of materials through synthesizing the past. Kiertzner has shown her mixed media and textile-based work extensively in solo and juried exhibitions in California since 2007. She maintains a studio in Claremont, California.
![Iroquois embroidery on canvas](https://www.craftinamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kiertzner-embroidery-example.jpeg)