Explorer West Middle School student, Bea Renaud, allows a "walking-stick, or phasmid from Malaysia to crawl up her at an art opening May 8 at Artspace Hiawatha Lofts.
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Art, science, and anthropods intermingled Saturday, May, 8, at the Artspace Hiawatha Lofts, 843 Hiawatha Place South, just east of the sports stadiums. Guests at the art opening, many attending from West Seattle, had close-up look at anthropods, or invertebrate animals with an exoskeleton.
These included cases of mounted large, colorful butterflies, moths, beetles, both tiny and giant, and crabs. Insect photographs, kitchen magnets, jewelry, and other artwork were for sale.
A highlight of the show, about a half dozen living “walking-stick” insects. Called phasmida from Malaysia, some were green like grass hoppers, others dark brown, over 8-inches long and clutched to a plant out in the open in the gallery. Brave passers-by clutched the insects and placed them on their shoulders.
The man behind the insects is expert Don Ehlen, who was there to answer questions. A few of Ehlen’s pals entered the gallery wearing pith helmets. His business card says, “Insect Safari Entomological Explorations.”
Artspace Hiawatha Lofts
843 Hiawatha Place South
Seattle, WA 98144-2836
(206) 709-7611
