SAVANNAH, GA – FEBRUARY 10, 2022 – The Savannah African Art Museum has added an additional “Creating Wearable Art” workshop on Saturday, Feb. 19. The first wearable art workshop, held Feb. 12, filled up less than 24 hours after registration opened. Due to the popularity of the event and continued interest in the activity, the museum’s leadership team decided to give the community another opportunity to learn and be creative while enjoying themselves.
The second workshop will run from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 19 at the museum’s Upbeat Village Terracotta Gallery, 201 East 37th Street, Savannah. Please note that it is stair access only, no elevator or wheelchair access is available. Registration is required via: www.savannahafricanartmuseum.org. Attendees will begin their experience with a private tour of the museum’s newest exhibit, “Culture, Currency and Continuity: The Significance of Cowrie Shells in African Art.” Registered attendees will meet at the main entrance of the museum promptly at 11 a.m. to commence the tour. Then, they’ll try their hands at creating wearable art out of cowrie shells and other materials.
In African culture, the small, glossy shells are more than just fashionable; they had monetary value in Ancient African societies. For centuries, the shells were a symbol of wealth and were used as a form of currency due to their sturdy and light-weight character. They are thought to be the first pan-regional currency in West Africa. Apart from their economic value, the shells were also revered for their power to bring prosperity, fertility, healing, and spiritual connection to ancestors. Today, cowrie shells are often used in clothing, jewelry, crafts, and African braided hairstyles and headpieces.
“Cowrie shells have come to represent the African continent globally and have taken root in pop culture,” said Savannah African Art Museum Education Coordinator Lisa Jackson. “We want to share the history behind cowrie shells and why they are important to African societies. They were more than fashion; they were completely intertwined with the culture, spiritually, emotionally and financially. They were an important part of African life. We want our workshop attendees to walk away with more knowledge about these popular shells than what they walked in with and share it with others.”
To participate in this workshop, please visit www.savannahafricanartmuseum.org/workshops. To learn more about the museum, the new 2022 exhibit, and the museum’s newest collections, please visit www.savannahafricanartmuseum.org and follow The Museum on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @SavannahAfricanArtMuseum.
The Savannah African Art Museum is a nonprofit institution that introduces all audiences to African art and culture. Its mission is to provide engaging experiences that educate and start conversations about the power, diversity, and spirituality of African art.
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