Every Saturday in September, you are invited to join us for hands-on art workshops that explore insect-related topics including endangered and beneficial insects, the work of artist and poet Cecilia Vicuña, and the role of native bees on the High Line. We’ll provide everything you need—including support from the High Line Education team—you just need to bring your creativity.

These workshops are part of Celebrating Insects on the High Line, a month-long look at the critical relationships between insects, plants, and the greater web of life, including humans. This celebration is inspired by and culminated with Cecilia Vicuña’s Insectageddon on September 25, where all three workshops will be presented again together in addition to other programming.

These events are free and open to all ages. No RSVP required; drop in at any time.

Please note that the High Line has a timed-entry reservation system on weekends. For entry at access points other than those along 30th Street, make a timed-entry reservation. No separate reservation is needed to access the event.

Weekend-specific highlights include:

Celebrating Insects: Insect masks and endangered and beneficial insects
Saturday, September 4, 2021
1 – 3pm
During this workshop, we’ll explore why insects are important and what we can do to protect them. After learning about endangered insects and why insects are important, participants will be invited to create an insect mask inspired by four endangered insects that call New York State home. Participants will use paper, markers, cardstock, and string to design their mask, choosing to create pop-up elements or decorate the mask with drawing supplies.

Celebrating Insects: Cecilia Vicuña, artist spotlight and mini wire insect sculptures
Saturday, September 11, 2021
1 – 3pm
In this workshop, participants will learn about Cecilia Vicuña, her body of work, and the upcoming event, Insectageddon. Participants will create a small wire sculpture of an insect out of various wire materials. This sculpture will be attached to a pencil to mimic the movement of insects while writing or drawing. These sculptures reference Cecilia’s insect hat, as well as wire kinetic sculptures that will appear during the festival.

Celebrating Insects: Exploring native bees on the High Line
Saturday, September 18, 2021
1 – 3pm
In this experience, participants will learn about the essential role different kinds of native bees play on the High Line, what they need to thrive, and how pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change threaten their survival. Participants will be invited to explore a bee box by taking it apart and putting it together, learn about the different types of native bees in the “Which bee lives where?” matching game and draw different kinds of native bees found on the High Line.