This is an in person program. 

This workshop uses jewelry making as a form of art therapy. I refer to this as “BeadTherapy.” The materials used are semi-precious stones and other natural jewelry materials. Semi-precious stones have been appreciated for generations for their unique beauty and healing and grounding properties. Bead Therapy is very interactive and meditative. It gives the participants the creative power to express how they feel and allows them to see how their feelings look in the form of art they produced. This workshop will teach the basics of beaded jewelry making and the difference between semi-precious stones and precious stones. The goal of Bead Therapy is to create a safe space for self-expression to create a piece of art that represents the emotions of the creator. Each participant will keep all the pieces they make.

Meet the Instructor Zangar Freeman is a first-generation Liberian-American jewelry artist, educator, and veteran who integrates cultural storytelling and art therapy practices into his beadwork. With a background in social work and a deep appreciation for community connection, he has taught beadwork and expressive arts across the lifespan, working with youth clubs, community centers, senior centers, and schools. His workshops foster third spaces through library programming, creating environments where people can connect, reflect, and express themselves through art.