Museum Events

The Mathers Museum hosts a number of events that are fun and educational.

Family Craft Day: Spooky Crafts and Characters from Around the World
Saturday, October 31; 2 to 4 p.m.
Come celebrate Halloween and learn about “spooky” crafts! The event will be free and open to the public, and will presented in partnership with the Native American Community Center and Lotus Arts and Education Foundation.

Medicine Bag Workshop
Saturday, November 7; 1 to 3 p.m.
Bring a friend or a family member and come join us for a class in making a leather medicine bag. With the use of reclaimed/recycled deerskin or elk hide scraps you will learn the technique of designing and sewing your personal medicine bag with sinew. The class will cover the simple blanket stitch technique, designing a bag, and various closure methods. Optionally, a no-sew pattern will also be offered. No previous experience in the craft is required, as the instructor Julia Conley, a self-taught artist and craftsman of Native American descent, will work with each attendee personally and will lead a conversation about the history of medicine bags, their various uses, and items you may consider including within your own bag. Tools, beads, feathers and other items will be will be available at the class, as well as many examples of finished bags. This workshop is free and open to the public, and sponsored by the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center, but pre-registration is required. Children under 12 years must be accompanied by adult. To pre-register and for further information, please email jstahlma@indiana.edu, with subject line: Medicine Bag workshop

American-Indian Style Beadwork Workshop
Saturday, November 14; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Marilyn Cleveland, an experienced artisan and instructor in numerous beadwork classes over the years, will lead participants in creating colorful beaded autumn leaves on cotton. The event, sponsored by First Nations Educational and Culture Center, will be free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. For further information, contact fnecc@indiana.edu

Family Craft Day: Celebrating Native American Heritage
Saturday, November 14; 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Learn about Eastern Woodlands-style finger-weaving, Miami style ribbon-work, beading, gourd painting, and Native American games of chance. The event will be free and open to the public, and will be sponsored by Native American Community Center.