Of the many things American Indians acquired through trade with whites, few items held greater value than glass beads, and female artists throughout much of native North America quickly mastered the craft of bead working. This exhibition presents exemplary selections of beadwork, primarily from four culture areas—Plains, Great Lakes, Subarctic, and Northeast—and explores the techniques, as well as the functional and cultural significance of these pieces. This brightly beaded art served as a highly visible expression of ethnic identity and pride that continues to this day.
Curated by Michael H. Logan, University of Tennessee, Department of Anthropology.
Support provided by Home Federal Bank, UT Ready for the World, Nick & Fran Newell Museum Fund, AARP, Knox County, the City of Knoxville, and the Arts & Heritage Fund.