Innovation. Beauty. Legacy.

Join us as we welcome artist and creative facilitator Joy Joshua, founder of Journey & Thingz, for a hands-on jewelry making experience at the library.

Meet Marjorie Stewart Joyner: Hair Ornament Workshop — a creative experience inspired by the groundbreaking inventor, educator, and beauty pioneer.

Together, we’ll explore her impact and design our own custom hair ornaments — blending history, culture, and self-expression.

This workshop is about honoring Black ingenuity while creating something meaningful with your own hands. Come learn, create, and celebrate legacy.

Registration is open through Chicago Public Library. Click link below:

Art. Legacy. Storytelling.

Join me for Sculpt Like Hunt & Perkins: A Creative Sculpting Workshop — a hands-on experience inspired by the powerful work of Richard Hunt and Marion Perkins.

We’ll explore sculpture through history, archival storytelling, and creative expression — then create our own original pieces rooted in identity and imagination.

This is more than an art class. It’s a chance to connect with Chicago’s artistic legacy and shape something meaningful with your own hands.

Registration is open through Chicago Public Library.
Reserve your spot and come sculpt with us.

Join artist and creative facilitator Joy Joshua of Journey & Thingz for Art That Holds Our Stories, a reflective, intergenerational experience presented as part of Threads of Healing in recognition of the ALA National Day of Racial Healing. Through guided storytelling, reflection, and hands-on creative expression, you are invited to explore your identity, your sense of belonging, and your personal threads of connection.

You will create a mixed-media Identity Weaving using yarn, fabric strips, written prompts, colored paper, and symbolic materials. Each strand you choose can represent a memory, a value, a community, or a source of healing. As you weave your threads together, you’ll visually express your story and engage in a collective moment of understanding and shared healing. This is a space to slow down, reflect, and honor the experiences that shaped you.

Optional: You are welcome to bring a small photo, fabric scrap, written memory, or symbolic object that reflects a meaningful part of your story. You may weave or add this item into your artwork.

This jewelry making workshop is your gateway to crafting one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces! During this immersive and hands-on workshop, you will learn the basics, techniques, and tips for creating unique jewelry pieces. Explore the art of transforming simple materials into works of wearable art for yourself or for gifting.

Participants will explore the life and legacy of Marjorie Stewart Joyner through images and patents showcasing her remarkable contributions. As a pioneering figure in Chicago's history, Joyner made her mark by opening her first beauty shop and becoming a protégé of Madam C.J. Walker. While Joyner’s philanthropic, educational, and business endeavors took her across the country and abroad, she remained deeply involved in Chicago’s cultural and civic life. 

After the engaging lecture, jeweler Joy Joshua will lead a workshop where participants can design their own unique bejeweled hair ornaments, drawing inspiration from photos of Marjorie from our collection. 

This class requires registration.  

Meet Marjorie Stewart Joyner: Hair Ornament Workshop

Participants will explore the life and legacy of Marjorie Stewart Joyner through images and patents showcasing her remarkable contributions. As a pioneering figure in Chicago's history, Joyner made her mark by opening her first beauty shop and becoming a protégé of Madam C.J. Walker. While Joyner’s philanthropic, educational, and business endeavors took her across the country and abroad, she remained deeply involved in Chicago’s cultural and civic life. 

After the engaging lecture, jeweler Joy Joshua will lead a workshop where participants can design their own unique bejeweled hair ornaments, drawing inspiration from photos of Marjorie from our collection. 

Meet Marjorie Stewart Joyner: Hair Ornament Workshop

Participants will explore the life and legacy of Marjorie Stewart Joyner through images and patents showcasing her remarkable contributions. As a pioneering figure in Chicago's history, Joyner made her mark by opening her first beauty shop and becoming a protégé of Madam C.J. Walker. While Joyner’s philanthropic, educational, and business endeavors took her across the country and abroad, she remained deeply involved in Chicago’s cultural and civic life. 

After the engaging lecture, jeweler Joy Joshua will lead a workshop where participants can design their own unique bejeweled hair ornaments, drawing inspiration from photos of Marjorie from our collection. 

Meet Marjorie Stewart Joyner: Hair Ornament Workshop

Participants will explore the life and legacy of Marjorie Stewart Joyner through images and patents showcasing her remarkable contributions. As a pioneering figure in Chicago's history, Joyner made her mark by opening her first beauty shop and becoming a protégé of Madam C.J. Walker. While Joyner’s philanthropic, educational, and business endeavors took her across the country and abroad, she remained deeply involved in Chicago’s cultural and civic life. 

After the engaging lecture, jeweler Joy Joshua will lead a workshop where participants can design their own unique bejeweled hair ornaments, drawing inspiration from photos of Marjorie from our collection. 

Meet Marjorie Stewart Joyner: Hair Ornament Workshop

Participants will explore the life and legacy of Marjorie Stewart Joyner through images and patents showcasing her remarkable contributions. As a pioneering figure in Chicago's history, Joyner made her mark by opening her first beauty shop and becoming a protégé of Madam C.J. Walker. While Joyner’s philanthropic, educational, and business endeavors took her across the country and abroad, she remained deeply involved in Chicago’s cultural and civic life. 

After the engaging lecture, jeweler Joy Joshua will lead a workshop where participants can design their own unique bejeweled hair ornaments, drawing inspiration from photos of Marjorie from our collection. 

Meet Marjorie Stewart Joyner: Hair Ornament Workshop

Participants will explore the life and legacy of Marjorie Stewart Joyner through images and patents showcasing her remarkable contributions. As a pioneering figure in Chicago's history, Joyner made her mark by opening her first beauty shop and becoming a protégé of Madam C.J. Walker. While Joyner’s philanthropic, educational, and business endeavors took her across the country and abroad, she remained deeply involved in Chicago’s cultural and civic life. 

After the engaging lecture, jeweler Joy Joshua will lead a workshop where participants can design their own unique bejeweled hair ornaments, drawing inspiration from photos of Marjorie from our collection. 

🎨✨ Summer Jewelry Making Workshops Are Here! ✨🎨
Calling all young creators ages 6–13!

Join us at Chicago Public Library branches across the city for a hands-on jewelry making experience your kids won’t forget!

🌟 Kids will explore fun techniques to create one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, or earrings
🌟 Our buffet-style bead bar lets every child choose from a wide variety of beads, metals, and raw materials
🌟 All materials are provided – and they’ll take their creations home!

📍 Perfect for a creative summer activity
📅 Limited spots – check your local CPL branch for dates!

Let’s make this summer sparkle! 💎