Idabel, OK (August 21, 2018)—The Museum of the Red River will host a beading workshop on September 15, from 10 am to 3:00 pm. Attendees will learn how to use a strong, versatile beading technique known as the brick stitch to create a pair of earrings. The program costs $45. All supplies are provided. The class will break at noon for a potluck lunch and resume at 1:00 pm. Registration is available online or over the phone, (580) 286 – 3616.
The class will be led by Eveline Steele, a local artist with over thirty years of experience. Steele is experienced in several media including weaving, beading, and basketry. Samples of her work can be found at the Choctaw Nation Museum in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma and the Community Center in Idabel. Steele also helped develop the latest Choctaw Dictionary.
Beadwork is one of the best-known types of art practiced by native Americans. Prior to European contact, native artists used materials like shells or quills to decorate everyday goods. The introduction of glass beads led to an explosion of new art forms. Over time, each tribe developed their own distinctive techniques, colors, and styles. Today, artists often combine a wide range of materials and traditions to create new and exciting designs. Although beaded items are no longer a part of everyday life, beadwork continues to serve as a powerful symbol of native American identity.
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