John Beeman and the Beeman Gallery

Although born in Kansas City, Missouri, I was raised on the west coast of Florida when the beaches were pristine, shells were plentiful and swimming was a daily ritual. I am the youngest of three children, all boys, and had a traditional family with good core values.My parents were educated and open-minded resulting in their support and encouragement of my creativity. I made jewelry using shells when I was ten years of age, which I happily sold to relatives at a family reunion in the summer after fifth grade. God bless family! I started an active interest in music at an early age and sang and played piano at home and in school at that same time. Music has always been an important part of my life, forming a strong thread through the core of my experience that has carried me during good times and bad. Even now, I use music as a backdrop while making jewelry.

During high school, I played for churches, the choir and in piano recitals. I worked at the public library part-time until I finished school. College was a time of expansion and great fun in music and the arts where I made many friends that I still cherish today. I completed a Master’s in Library Science and was part of the new College of Medicine, working in the Library and later in the College of Fine Arts setting up a Music Resources Facility. In time, I moved into the public sector at the Tampa-Hillsborough County Library System where I stayed for several years.

In the early 1980’s I had a great opportunity to work in Saudi Arabia for Ralph Parson’s Co. who had been contracted to manage the building of a new industrial city at the Red Sea end of the oil pipeline. It was a remarkable opportunity in so many ways. I was exposed to world cultures, travel, a new profession and the opportunity to conduct the community volunteer chorus. I made many fine friends, experienced wonderful places and learned to see the world in a new way.

When I returned to the States, I returned to libraries in Plant City and Tampa. Then, I relocated to the Seattle area in Snohomish, WA where I worked for the Sno-Isle Regional Library System until I retired. I spent an additional eight years as a realtor for Windermere Realty and then fully retired. My recent move to Gallup, NM provided me the newest page in my book with the opening of the Beeman Gallery and the opportunity to meet new people and hear what they have to say about what I do with jewelry. I have always been passionate about jewelry, buying it for myself, my friends and loved ones. Now I can more fully share this passion with people on a daily basis. Perhaps this will become a new form of music for me!