The Bead Museum of Glendale, Arizona: Beads and Cultural Artifacts

In the midst of a highly commercialized suburb outside of Phoenix is culture that cannot be bought - at least not easily. The Bead Museum of Glendale, Arizona, can reprieve you from the cruel Arizona sun. If you're a local, take bus 24 and check this out. After you see it, brag about it to your visitors when they come into to town. The museum also can give you tidbits on interesting things, that can be brought up in dinner parties and other social gatherings of the like. Come on everyone know that Colbert from South Carolina is going to defeat Arizona's own John McCain in the presidential election.

According to their newsletter published in Spring 2007, their mission states that it "fosters the appreciation and understanding of the global, historical, cultural and artistic significance of the beads and related artifacts." It had satiated my palate for all that criteria for sure. This museum had been around for twenty years under the vision of Gabrielle Liese, and hopefully for generations to come.

Exploring our culture puts us into perspective of our roots and also how we communicate with other cultures. Beads were also important in imperialism, trading, and bargaining among cultures. One can't forget the religious sacraments of the Catholic Church, Voodoo, and Native Americans. The exhibits covers beads and how it's crafted from Native American work with plastic beads of the last quarter of the 20th century, all the way back to a couple of millenniums in Africa.
The great thing about beads is that there is much to see in a small place. The museum doesn't overcrowd the eye and the memory, the exhibitors do a fine job of space planning and dividing topics about beads into chunks that one can manage in their brain. The museum covers one story in a building for it's displays, however it took me a couple of hours to go through all of it's collection with my partner. I like cultural anthropology, and he likes shiny pretty things that are valuable.

As for prices, this is a bargain in the Phoenix area that can not be beaten. It beats the prices of movie tickets in an air conditioned theater. It would be an excellent date spot, as long as your date thinks that you can not purchase anything on exhibit. It's also in a nice neighborhood where you can enjoy the scenery of the antique boutique shops. On Thursdays, there is free admission. If you have money burning a hole in your wallet after all these savings, visit the museum store. Soon, according to their website, you can shop online in your pajamas. I personally observed that this might not be the best place for children, particularly the Bead Museum Store.

For locals and others who are planning to stay in the Phoenix area for a while, can find classes offered by the museum from Advanced Peyote jewelry to dragonfly necklaces. There are also lecture that are given from time to time as well. The museum also publishes a bi-seasonal (it seems) newsletter. The main attraction is the Silver exhibition, which I don't understand how much that relates to beads but since it was a rare opportunity, board members agreed for sure... There are other exhibitions at the museum. I got most of my background and review of classes/events/lectures from their website.