Glass Gems 💎✨ Beads in West Africa    We’re thrilled to celebrate one year of our reinstalled “Beads in West Africa” case, now on display in 35 Centuries of Glass! Have you had the chance to see it yet?   While the previous installation highlighted the presence of glass beads in West Africa through the lens of European trade, the current display showcases the diverse ways glass has been crafted and utilized by different West African cultures over the past 500 years. It also emphasizes the ongoing vitality of these rich traditions today.   A huge thank you to our Community Circle and Curatorial team, including our NEH-grant-supported curatorial fellows from 2022 for helping us share a more accurate, authentic, and representative story of glass in Africa. #africanbeads #beadmaking #representationmatters #westafrica #glassgems #glassart