Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Szabo.
Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
PDX Insectarium was started by three PSU biology students in 2016 after noting Portland’s lack of a natural history museum, initially as a pop-up where we visited classrooms, the library, and other events. We opened our first location in 2021 and it has been co-owned by Jessica Szabo (founder) and Red Armstrong since then. We have had to move several times and it has been a struggle to keep going, but our community has been there for us every step of the way and we wouldn’t be here without their help – from donations to helping us find a new building, to telling their friends and family about us. We are preparing to move a again, but this time for a bigger and better space with hopes to give Portland a butterfly house.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been very smooth! Our first location was too expensive, our second was too small and we had to leave unexpectedly. Our third space is nice but we have outgrown it. Packing up and moving a bug zoo is not easy. Between getting the word out, taking care of the animals with limited staff, and no external funding, we have struggled to exist. Many of our animals and displays have been donated to us because our community believes in our dream.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Both co-owners are going to answer below.
Jessica: I own a bug zoo. As business owner, I do a lot of admin and business related work, but I specialize in spiders (what I studied in college), insects, biology, and teaching. I am also an illustrator and photographer. I am most proud of keeping the insectarium going for 10 years and not giving up even when it was really hard and I had no money, and I think that’s what sets me apart from others who may have just quit and looked for a normal job.
Red: I own a bug zoo. We specialize in educating. We’re not a pet store, our focus is firmly on educating the public, and overall increasing community interest in bugs. People rarely advocate for things that they don’t care about. People rarely care about things they don’t understand. It’s my honor and our commitment to work towards a world of greater curiosity, and therefore greater understanding. Our museum is just my medium for doing that, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Portland, Oregon is the place for people like us. People who are creative, and doing their own thing. People who aren’t afraid to be weird, and aren’t weird about being different. It’s hard to imagine starting a bare bones bug zoo on a shoestring budget anywhere else but in Portland, it just works. Bugs are an extension of this city’s spirit.
All cities have their problems, and those are systemic problems with complicated solutions. If anything, this city deserves more funding opportunities for projects like ours. There are a million outreach, mutual aid, and educational projects in Portland, run by people just as passionate as we are. With the support of the city, these could thrive and help many people.
Pricing:
- There is a discount for booking online
- There is also a discount available for students, SNAP recipients, and seniors.
- Prices are on our website
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pdxinsectarium.org
- Instagram: instragram.com/pdxinsectarium
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/portlandinsectarium
