Making Maedeup Necklaces: Decorative Korean Knotting with Karen Ahn

Seating is limited. One ticket is required per person.

If the workshop is sold out, you can still join the standby line. People in the standby line can take the place of registrants who do not show up, on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are late to the workshop, your seat will be given to those waiting in the standby line.

Gallery 27 is located on level B1, right next to the Museum Store.

Karen Ahn will be leading two different maedeup workshops. Separate registration for each workshop:

1. Thursday, Oct. 24, 1–5 p.m. (necklace)
2. Friday, Oct. 25, 1–5 p.m. (brooch)

Workshop Details

Experience the intricacy and artistry of traditional Korean maedeup, decorative knot crafts used as fashion accessories or home décor. Artist Karen Ahn will lead two free workshops, with support from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art and the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.

These workshops will introduce you to the art of maedeup (매듭), a traditional knotting craft with more than three thousand years of history. These braided cords, often woven together with precious stones, gold, or silver, are typically attached to clothing or accessories or displayed as home décor. Though the demand for maedeup ornaments declined toward the end of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), a resurgence of interest in the practice during the 1960s has produced new forms and engaged audiences worldwide.

Take part in this craft revival by learning one of the 38 classic maedeup knots, and use them to produce a complete piece of jewelry. Light refreshments will be available for attendees.

About Karen Ahn

Karen Ahn (b. 1958, Seoul) works primarily in maedeup, a traditional Korean knotting art. Ahn began studying maedeup as a hobby in college and has continued refining her craft over several decades, leading workshops at the Korean Cultural Center New York, the Korea Society, Wave Hill, Stonybrook University, Flushing Town Hall (Queens, New York), and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Ahn studied design at Sungkyunkwan University for her bachelor’s degree before graduating with an MFA in package design from Pratt Institute.

Accessibility: The public elevator in the West Building (Freer Gallery of Art) is out of service, so your route to the event location may take a few more minutes than usual. Use the accessible entrance at the corner of Independence Avenue and 12th Street SW, and follow the directions when you arrive. Get more accessibility details.

Host or Publisher Freer and Sackler Galleries