A cornucopia of bead exhibits


Usually, I send these out as I learn about them, but I’ve had a few accumulate as I haven’t been writing much lately. Once in a long while, someone learns about these exhibits from my writing, so I don’t want anyone to miss out on beadwork!

Closing on January 5th is Life on a String: 35 Centuries of the Glass Bead at the Corning Museum. “Life on a String will explore the use of glass beads for fashion and ornament, as symbols of power and wealth, as traded goods, and as objects of ritual, as well as illuminate the processes of beadmaking and beadworking.” Even after the exhibit is over, the Corning (in Corning, New York) would always be worth a visit with its extensive collections and world-class library.

Karen Ann Hoffman is a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, part of the Iroquois Confederacy, and is exhibiting her Iroquois raised beadwork at the Alexander House in Port Edwards, Wisconsin. This exhibit is on display until January 7th.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is currently exhibiting Plains Indian Beadwork and Regalia from the Anthropology Collection. “Two rare items featured are a Lakota Winter Count depicting significant events in the years 1798-99 through 1904–05, and a unique Cheyenne coat painted with depictions of a horse raid.” Also included are other beaded artifacts from the 19th and early 20th century.  There is an extensive article about the Museum’s collection in the Winter 2013 issue of American Indian Art Magazine.

David Chatt is one of the artists in the current exhibit at the Pratt Institute in New York City, 0 to 60: The Experience of Time through Contemporary Art. On display through January 25th, Chatt’s piece is “Bedside Table,” where items on the table are completely covered in white right angle weave.

Now, back to beading holiday gifts!


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