Retreat

We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to coordinate some workshops and a lecture for Nancy Moore Bess’ visit to the Seattle area this summer. She will be here for the opening of a show at The Fountainhead Gallery, where she is the guest curator.

Nancy Moore Bess has been creating baskets since 1972; her work has been strongly influenced by Japanese packaging techniques and her travels and research in Japan. She is the author of the book Bamboo in Japan, and her work reflects the marriage of two cultures. From her profile:

“Somehow all of those influences – basketry, Japan, Japanese packaging, bamboo – merged into one career of over thirty years, in which no part stands alone. What an interesting life it is turning out to be.”

Our tentative plans are to offer an evening lecture, a two day intermediate to advanced work shop and a one day workshop suitable for all skill levels.

She will also be teaching for the Whidbey Weavers Guild while she is in the area, and we will be coordinating with them as well.

If you are interested in helping with this, please contact Mary Irvine, 206-789-1067, ime@qwest.net

Schedule:

Monday-Thursday, 4-7	Workshops on Whidbey Island with Whidbey Weaver's Guild
Thursday, August 7	Lecture at Shoreline Museum, Shoreline, WA
Friday-Saturday, August 8-9	Plaiting & Twining: Layering Two Cultures 2-day workshop in Burien
Saturday, August 9	Show opening at Fountainhead Gallery,
Sunday, August 10	4 Quick Baskets workshop in Burien

Workshops:

PLAITING & TWINING: LAYERING TWO CULTURES	Workshop Fee - $150.00 max	Materials Fee - $40.00

Plaiting and twining are finger-manipulated basketry techniques that are utilitze world-wide and have been for centuries. Rarely are they incorporated together into vessel forms. Plaiting with slightly rigid materials, in this case dyed cane and some bamboo, allows the participant to create firm, textured forms both symmetrical and classic and asymmetrical and organic. Nancy Moore Bess will discuss her own work and the design decisions made in order to create works that reflect cross-cultural influences. Several basket forms will be finished during this workshop, which is suitable for intermediate to advanced level weavers who have experience with twining.
4 QUICK BASKETS	Workshop Fee - $75.00 max	Materials Fee - $20.00

Some traditional Japanese baskets require only 15 minutes and a smile. Others can consume the length of an entire workshop, no matter it's length! Each example in this workshop can lead to hours of experimentation and dozens of variations. Many of the samples are traditional flower baskets; other are food presentation baskets - mini stage sets. This workshop is suitable for all levels of weavers.

Note: workshops will require a minimum of 8 students to run, and class fees will be reduced for workshops with 10 or more students. Balance of class fees and materials fees will be payable to NWBW at beginning of class. Workshops will take place at Moshier Art Center, 430 S 156th Street in Burien, WA.

To register, print out the registration form and mail with your deposit to:

NMB Workshop
C/O Mary Irvine
2612 NW 64th St.
Seattle, WA 98107

Make checks out to Northwest Basket Weavers.