A Minnesota-Based Artist’s Beaded Skulls Honor Nature’s Beauty

Photo: Kyra Nygard Photography

Minnesota-based artist Kelly Nygard found the pandemic to be “a gift of idle time,” giving her an opportunity to create art that is rapidly cultivating a growing following.

After completing some courses in mosaic and beading, Nygard challenged her creativity upon discovering an old bison skull in her dad’s shed. A taxidermist, Nygard spent her childhood learning about her dad’s work and was drawn to animal skulls as objects of honor and beauty.

Photo: Kyra Nygard Photography

The inspiration for Nygard’s work comes from the focal point of the skull and the possible mixes of materials and colors. “My art illustrates that life perpetuates in all species,” she explains. “I find beading meditative, and silence and concentration culminate in deliberately crafted pieces.”

Nygard emphasizes that she disagrees with the practice of trophy hunting and is not a hunter herself. In fact, through her work she strives to cast a different perspective on the word. “A trophy is something that is shiny and pretty to look at on the surface. I find that trophies can be imbued with deeper meaning and value depending on the point of view.”

Photo: Kyra Nygard Photography

Nygard locates the skulls she uses in her creations at consignment and antique shops, flea markets and estate and garage sales. She rescues these artifacts, cleans them up and creates fine art through her meticulous dedication to the art of beading. Using glass tiles, Czech glass seed beads, hand-blown glass beads and leather gilding makes her trophy skulls completely unique.

A celebration of the Mountain West, Nygard’s art has found its way into the hands of celebrity collectors including Rex Linn and Reba McEntire. Both pieces were purchased during a Santa Fe gallery showing in 2023. “I always think that’s an interesting tidbit, and it was sure exciting for me,” exclaims Nygard.

Photo: Kyra Nygard Photography

Cultivating partnerships with galleries is extremely important to Nygard. “I reach out to galleries carefully so I can ensure that I have enough time to spend on each piece.” Nygard also works on commissioned projects. “If someone has a skull they want to display as a bespoke piece of fine art, I will collaborate with them to design what they envision.”

In September 2025, Nygard will participate in the Reno-Tahoe International Art Show (RITA). From May 14–17, 2026, her trophy skulls will be on display at the Salt Lake Art Show (SLAS) at the Mountain America Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Photo: Kyra Nygard Photography