Stefani Kirsh-Rotstein | Curious Creatures: The Art of Monster Taxidermy

Opening Reception, Saturday, September 6 at 1:00 p.m.

Curious Creatures: The Art of Monster Taxidermy by Stefani Kirsh-Rotstein invites audiences into an imaginative world where art and storytelling intertwine. At its heart is Patrick, a bumblebee born with uneven wings who learns to fly by carrying balloons filled with messages of joy and kindness. Patrick delivers these balloons to the shy and eccentric monsters who live in the distant House of Monster Taxidermy, keeping them connected to the world and to one another. When Patrick disappears, the monsters leave their safe haven in search of him, and in doing so, discover beauty, kindness, and connection beyond the House. Their journey eventually leads them to the Art Gallery of Northumberland, where they find a new home among art and visitors who welcome them with curiosity and care.

By transforming the gallery into a living storybook, Kirsh-Rotstein creates more than an installation—she offers a reflection on resilience, interdependence, and joy. Patrick’s uneven wings symbolize the struggles we all carry, while his balloons remind us of the importance of encouragement and shared humanity. The monsters, with their quirks and tender personalities, embody the parts of ourselves that are vulnerable yet deeply relatable. The exhibition closes with an invitation: to carry a piece of this world into our own lives, to spread kindness, and to notice wonder in everyday moments. Through this blend of whimsy and emotional depth, The House of Monster Taxidermy becomes not just an exhibition, but a call to embrace curiosity, care, and joy.