Museum of Beadwork

Located in Portland, Maine, the Museum of Beadwork is the only institution that focuses on the cultural and artistic significance of beadwork in art and adornment through breathtaking exhibits, hands-on classes and workshops, and other community-building programs.

Since opening in 2023, the museum has been astounding its visitors with the intricacy and emotional resonance of its works on display, which include beaded jewelry, clothing, sculpture, accessories, and tapestries. Showcasing pieces by both contemporary and historical artists, the museum’s works range from the dazzlingly elegant to the shockingly political. Whatever your preconceptions about beadwork, a few minutes in the Museum of Beadwork will awaken you to a world of art you never expected.