Welcome to Queer Bug Club—a monthly gathering for queer adults (18+) to explore insect pinning, preservation, and art in a welcoming, creative, and inclusive environment. Whether you're a seasoned pinning pro or brand new to the practice, this is a space for curiosity, connection, and celebration of nature’s diversity.

Each 2-hour session is a mix of guided and self-guided pinning and/or mounting, with support from Domingo with RIP Repurposed. Club memberships include all the materials you need to be successful for the next 6 months. You are also welcome to purchase any additional insects The Insect Asylum has to offer. 30% of ticket sales will go directly to The Insect Asylum's animal sanctuary program.

  • What You'll Learn:

    Insect hydration & chemical treatments

    Pinning & posing (1–2 insects per session)

    Creative preservation (shadow boxes, cloches, resin)

    Restoration techniques (repair & color matching)

  • 6-Month Membership Package Includes:

    Hydration/Chemical Treatment Kit (plastic box, chemicals, paper towels, etc.)

    Insect Tools Kit (foam boards, pins, tweezers, etc.)

    15 assorted insects (beetles, bees, cicadas, etc.)

    Displays (1 5x5 shadow box, 1 8x8 shadow box, 1 medium cloche, 1 resin charm, 1 mini cloche)

    Free museum entry on QBC days ($150 value for all 6 days)

  • Session Schedule Once a month on Sundays | 2:00–4:00 PM

    At The Insect Asylum – 2870 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

    July 20: Bug unboxing & hydration setup (2–3), Cicada pinning (3–4)

    August 24: Flat butterfly pinning (2–3), Semi-open winged pinning (3–4)

    September 28: Beetle pinning – closed wings (2–3), open wings (3–4)

    October 26: Scorpion pinning (2–3), Restoration Practice/free pinning (3–4)

    November 23: Resin charm making (2-3) Tiny cloche making (3-4)

    December 28: Mounting insects in cloches, shadow boxes & float frames

Pricing:

Pricing: (All prices + 10.25% Chicago sales tax)

  • $200 – All inclusive 6 month membership package

  • $180 –  Pinning Kit rental 6 month membership package (Pinning Tool Kit rental is provided, returned each session, everything else in the membership package is included for you to keep)

QBC Day Membership – $80
Includes tool kit rental for the club session and 2 insects to pin & keep. Add-ons like shadow boxes, cloches, or resin charms available à la carte. Limited daily vouchers are available.