Native American Beadwork

After beads were first introduced to the Native Americans by the Europeans in the 16th century, they became a staple of Native American art. Artist Les Berryhill tells the story of how the people of Native American tribes used these small glass beads to create beautiful, elaborate designs. The Native American beadworkers exerted patience and precision to decorate clothing like moccasins, dresses, and gloves with vibrant colors. Visit the Dickson Research Center for more information on Native American beadwork at Follow us! Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: Pinterest: