What are the objects in your life that bring you joy or tell a story of a person or memory that you cherish? In this workshop we will examine the meaning and significance of how objects freeze treasured moments in time. Bring an object with you that you love, and share its story!

We will write our stories down on cloth and then hand sew a gris gris necklace from colorful African fabric! Rooted in West and Central African spiritual traditions, these gris gris (small pouches) are worn around the neck and serve as protective talismans or charms. 

We will sew our written stories into our neck pouches to keep our memories close to our hearts. Beginner sewers are welcome!

AGE RANGE: 7 to adult

About Vanessa Johnson

I am a Griot, a Teller of Tales! I Tell through my story performances, one-woman shows, mixed media quilts, plays, short stories, and I sing tales with my storytelling band, Matie Massie! I tell traditional tales from Africa, from African-American culture, and from the African Diaspora. My tales of Social Justice include the Voices of the Enslaved and of Abolitionists who fought against slavery in the United States. I lend my voice to the diverse activists of the Women’s Rights Movement and of the Civil Rights Movement. I Tell Earth justice tales and share biographical tales of living as an African-American woman in the U.S. and part-time in Ghana.