Entry No. 68 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: oddities
Novis Mortem Collective (classes by The Terrorium Shop)
A downtown oddities gallery on Tejon Street that runs hands-on workshops in its curiosity-shop setting: insect pinning, taxidermy, plant education and terrarium building. The Denver-based Terrorium Shop hosts sessions here too, including a beginner rat taxidermy workshop. It is a genuinely offbeat spot rather than a generic craft studio, so check their site for the current class calendar before you go.
The story
You don't walk into Novis Mortem Collective looking for mass-produced decor or standard craft supplies. Situated at 117 North Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs, the shop operates as a gallery for sustainable natural history and preservation art. Glass bell jars and shadowboxes shelter Madagascar sunset moths and iridescent jewel mantises, framed alongside coffin-shaped jewelry, bone art, and botanical plaques assembled by local Colorado makers. German-born entomological artist Bea Solo opened the storefront in 2020 to treat specimens with curatorial precision rather than novel shock value, adhering strictly to wildlife laws and ethical sourcing.
The real draw happens at the workbenches in the back. Rather than running typical painting nights, Novis Mortem hosts technical preservation workshops, frequently partnering with Denver's The Terrorium Shop. Depending on the schedule, you might sit down to wire and mount a specimen in a beginner rat taxidermy class, build a self-contained living terrarium, or pin rehydrated tropical beetles into shadowboxes. It is methodical, quiet, and deeply focused work—the kind where positioning delicate wings with micro-tweezers and learning legal specimen origin standards take priority over casual crafting.
What it's like
Expect a shop that smells of dried moss and cedar wood, lined with dark walls and glass display domes ranging from test-tube sizes to large globes filled with dried florals and insects. During workshops, couples and solo visitors sit elbow-to-elbow at shared benches equipped with foam boards, pins, and magnifying lights. Keep in mind that classes run on a rotating calendar—insect pinning pops up roughly bi-monthly—and tickets book out quickly. The critical detail: double-check your booking confirmation to make sure your session is taking place at the Tejon Street shop in Colorado Springs rather than The Terrorium Shop's classroom in Denver, and remember their strict 72-hour cancellation window if you need to reschedule.
The move: Build a living terrarium or pin a beetle together at a shared Couples Workshop bench inside a downtown oddities shop.
📍 Before you go Classes run on a rotating schedule (insect pinning roughly bi-monthly); 72-hour cancellation policy. Confirm the next Colorado Springs date vs. the shop's Denver classroom.
- 📍 Downtown Colorado Springs
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 117 N Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- The Rabbit Hole — Extend the dark-aesthetic theme by heading into a subterranean speakeasy built inside a former city morgue.
- Shrunken Head Tiki Bar — Pop through an unmarked door right on Tejon Street for underground tiki cocktails immediately after your class.
- Iscariot (Octo-Maid) — Take a short walk down the street to view a 12-foot metal octopus-mermaid sculpture mounted atop the city traffic building.
Good to know
What types of workshops are held at Novis Mortem Collective?
Classes rotate throughout the year and cover insect and beetle pinning, botanical plaque construction, living terrarium building, and specialized sessions like beginner rat taxidermy hosted in partnership with Denver's The Terrorium Shop.
Are the animal and insect specimens ethically sourced?
Yes. The shop emphasizes sustainable and legal sourcing, utilizing natural-death specimens from butterfly farms and conservation programs, naturally shed bones, and legally compliant suppliers.
What is the workshop cancellation policy?
There is a strict 72-hour cancellation policy. Cancellations made at least 72 hours before class receive a refund or one-time class credit. Cancellations inside that window forfeit the fee, though non-perishable materials (excluding insect or taxidermy specimens) can be held for pickup within one week.
Do I need prior taxidermy or pinning experience?
No. The workshops are structured for complete beginners and include all necessary equipment, rehydrated specimens, display frames, and step-by-step instruction.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Atlas Obscura · Official site · downtowncs.com
last checked: 2026-06-23