Native Americans of NJ: Art After Dark - Creating Mandalas

As part of the Monmouth Museum's exhibit Native Americans of New Jersey: Past and Present, specialized community workshops will be led by members of the tribal communities represented. Join us for a series of workshops for all ages all summer long!

This workshop includes admission to the exhibit Native Americans of New Jersey: Past and Present, but the rest of the Monmouth Museum will be closed.

Join historian and educator Claire Garland for an engaging exploration of mandalas and their significance across cultures, including their connection to Native American traditions. Participants will learn how circular designs have been used throughout history to symbolize the universe, personal growth, balance, healing, and the interconnectedness of all living things. The workshop will introduce the origins of mandalas, tracing their development from ancient India to their appearance in cultures around the world. Claire will discuss how many Indigenous traditions emphasize respect for Mother Earth, the Great Spirit, and the interconnected relationship between people, nature, the sky, and the earth. Participants will discover how circular designs and symbols have been used to express these beliefs and promote reflection, healing, and harmony. During the hands-on portion of the program, participants will create their own mandala-inspired artwork using traditional symbols and natural themes. Common mandala elements may include the sun, flowers, animals, and geometric patterns, each representing different aspects of life, growth, energy, and balance. This creative experience encourages self-expression while providing an opportunity to learn about cultural traditions, symbolism, and the enduring importance of art as a tool for storytelling, reflection, and community connection.

Claire Garland is a historian, educator, author, researcher, and Indigenous heritage advocate who has dedicated her career to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the history of New Jersey’s Native peoples. She serves as Director of the Sand Hill Indian Historical Association and is widely recognized for her work in Indigenous education, historic preservation, public history, and community engagement. Claire earned a Master’s Degree in Sociological and Philosophical Foundations of Education from Rutgers University Graduate School of Education and spent her career as a middle school science and social studies educator. She is the author of Indian Summer at Sand Hill and has worked extensively with the New Jersey Historical Commission, the New Jersey Commission on American Indian Affairs, Monmouth County historical organizations, and numerous NJ250 initiatives. Her leadership roles have included serving as a Historical Resource Person for the New Jersey Commission on American Indian Affairs, Co-Chair of the New Jersey Historical Commission’s Year of Indigenous People Conference, participant in the Indigenous Education Project, member of the Rev250 State Steering Committee, and advisor to multiple county and municipal 250th Anniversary programs throughout New Jersey. Claire is a frequent presenter for museums, universities, libraries, educator institutes, historical societies, and public history programs, including Monmouth University, Princeton University’s Lenape Munsee Language Initiative, Rutgers University, the Monmouth Museum, Morven Museum, Brookdale Community College, and numerous historical organizations across the state. Through her research, writing, exhibits, educational programming, grant work, and public presentations, Claire continues to promote a deeper understanding of Lenape history and the enduring contributions of Indigenous communities to New Jersey’s past, present, and future.