Make and keep up to two pieces of beaded jewelry!  Teens and adults welcome!

Instructor Zangar Freeman will lead participants through this “Bead Therapy" workshop.  The materials used are semi-precious stones and other natural jewelry materials.  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.

About Zangar

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. Zangar’s journey with jewelry-making began over a decade ago and deepened through his study abroad experience in San Miguel de Allende, where he refined his skills in working with fine materials such as silver and gold. A former U.S. Marine specializing in aviation administration, he later transitioned into social work, serving as a case manager and transitional advocate for diverse populations. He rediscovered beadwork as a grounding tool during his military service and now shares this craft as both a therapeutic and artistic practice, emphasizing creativity, individuality, and the power of handmade art to celebrate culture and personal expression.