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.

The Embroidery Night School series includes three workshops in total: October 22, 2026, with Jagdeep Raina; November 12, 2026, with Grant Jonathan; and January 21, 2027, with Spandita Malik.

About the Artist

Grant Jonathan, Tuscarora Nation, Bear Clan, is an award winning Tuscarora raised beadwork artist, collector of antique Iroquois beadwork, and consultant on Iroquois beadwork history. He is a bead and fabric entrepreneur, traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe for products for Haudenosaunee raised beadworkers. He is an attorney and currently serves as the Tribal Program Manager at the U.S. EPA Region 2 office in New York City. His beadwork creations are in the permanent collections of multiple museums in the U.S. and Europe. He splits his time between New York City and the Tuscarora Nation, Sanborn, NY.

Images 

Banner: Maria Hammond, Needlework Picture, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, c. 1810. Silk and watercolor on silk, 15 x 19 in. North Kingstown Free Library, Rhode Island  

Body text:  Grant Jonathan, Tuscarora Raised Beadwork, 2026. Courtesy of the artist. 

Registration

This program will take place at the American Folk Art Museum, located at 2 Lincoln Square, New York City. 

This program is open to artists and creatives at all levels of training and experience. It is limited to 18 individuals. 

Advance registration is required. 

Tickets are $15 / $12 members, students, artists, seniors.

All materials will be provided.

For questions or to request accessibility accommodations, please email publicprograms@folkartmuseum.org.