The Art of Tradition: Orisha Beadwork & Song Workshop

Sacred beadwork and devotional song offer a hands-on introduction to the artistic traditions of Afro-Cuban Lucumí spirituality. The workshop takes place Saturday, August 1 at the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum FIU.

Facilitated by Martin Tsang, PhD., the program explores the colors, numbers and symbolic associations connected with the orishas, the deities of the Lucumí religion, also known as Santería. Participants will create an orisha-inspired beadwork piece to take home and learn selections from the Lucumí ritual song repertoire.

Initiated priests, including a master bead artist and an experienced apón, or lead ritual singer, guide the workshop’s visual and musical components. No prior experience is required. Admission is free, but space is limited to 20 participants, with Frost Art Museum members receiving priority registration.