Black Ash Plaited Baskets
Saturday from 1-4pm, November 16
Class level: All levels welcome.
Age requirements: 12+ (16 and under must register with an adult)
Teaching artist: Liandra Skenandore (@skenandorestudio)
Class fee: $150
Black ash plaited baskets feature a beautiful diagonal plaited weave design that is intricate looking but quite simple and fun in construction. These baskets can be used to hold a variety of goods and foods or used for small storage.
In this class, students will work with prepared kits of black ash splint material to create one plaited basket that will measure approximately 5"x5"x5". Participants will weave the basket in the checker work weave pattern for the base and use the diagonal plaited weave pattern for the walls. Participants will learn how to finish their basket by tucking in the uprights into the basket body.
A log pounding, splint splitting, and material preparation demonstration will be done where students can observe the intricate and labor intensive process of attaining black ash splint material for basketry. Participants will also learn about Oneida and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) traditions and the history of black ash basket weaving. A display table of baskets and basket books will be available for students to interact with.
All materials and tools will be provided by the instructor.
There is no prior basket weaving experience required but some mild hand strength and finger dexterity are necessary.
Individuals with tribal affiliation are invited to attend the workshop at a reduced cost. Please email heather@textileartsmadison.org for more information.
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Bio:
Liandra Skenandore is an emerging black ash basket weaver. She is an enrolled tribal citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and descends from the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Muscogee Creek Nation, and Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. In 2020, she apprenticed as a black ash basket maker under renowned black ash weaver April Stone (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) through the Mentor Artist Fellowship Program from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation. Since completing her apprenticeship, Liandra continues to weave and now enjoys sharing and teaching the craft with various communities. She has taught black ash weaving with nonprofits and organizations such as Woodland Indian Art, Inc., Ukwakhwa Inc., Driftless Folk School, Folklore Village School, and elsewhere. She has also taught black ash basketry with tribes such as the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Social: @skenandorestudio