For More Information, Contact:
Kathy Joyce, 570-268-5055

For Immediate Release
June 17, 2008

Master Bead Worker to Demonstrate Technique

Master Bead Worker Rose Harley of Austinville, PA will demonstrate her craft on the deck outside the PA North Country Artisan Center & Store on Friday, June 20, 2008 from 10am to 1pm in conjunction with the Towanda Farmers Market. Rose is a Native American of the Six Nations Indian Reserve, Ontario, Canada; Mohawk on her mother’s side, Onondaga on her father’s. She was first introduced to bead work within her Native American culture at the age of twelve with some simple loomwork, though it was many years until she began to practice the craft in earnest. As an adult when Rose began to learn more about her culture, beadwork became very important to her. As a true craftsperson she looks, learns, and teaches – always exploring the craft. Today, Rose is recognized within the Native American community and by museum experts at large as one of the best beadworkers in the East. Her specialty is working with extremely fine beads, using complex patterns drawn from her heritage and her own vision Some of her works appear at the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Museum in Connecticut; the St. Kateri Museum in Auriesville, New York; Mansfield University of Pennsylvania; and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Rose has also served as a Master Artist in multiple PA Council on the Arts Folk & Traditional Arts Fellowship grants.

In case of inclement weather, the demonstration will take place inside the PA North Country Artisan Center on Washington Street, Towanda.

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