Guild Meetings
2020 -2021 Guild Meeting Programs (Sept-August)
- 9/10/20 (Thursday) Cael Chappell: “Baskets of Africa”
- 10/14/20 (Wednesday) Karen Sherwood: “Salmon and Cedar Baskets”
- 11/11/20 (Wednesday) Potluck & Holiday Gift Exchange
- 12/9/20 (December): no meeting
- 1/13/21 (Wednesday) Emily Dvorin .
- 2/10/21 (Wednesday) Judy Zugish
Previous Years Programs: 2019-2020
- Meetings are open to anyone and are held on the second Wednesday of the month, except for July, August, and December; 6:30-9:00 PM. NOTE: Due to Covid19, meetings are currently held via Zoom.
- Location: Phinney Neighborhood Center Room 6 (upstairs), 6532 Phinney Ave. N Seattle, WA 98103.
Click HERE for a map. - 6:30 – Socialize, Library
- 7:00 – Show and Tell.
- 7:15 – Announcements
- 7:30 – Program Begins
It all started in 1998 when Fishsticks led the Basketmakers’ Tour of Japan.
Judy’s gypsy spirit was ignited!
The joy of connection in faraway lands has drawn for her a mosaic pattern of learning and exploring; a map of discovery and friendships from shore to shore. Each journey has left its mark: materials, history, technique, tradition, energy and a sense of place. In each, Judy has shared the magic of our own Pacific Northwest–the tradition and the innovation we exemplify as ambassadors. A blessing it surely is: the generosity of makers hands and hearts.
Most recently, residencies in Australia took Judy deep into two very different landscapes, one a rainforest of abiding rhythms, traditions and culture; the other a bright stimulating academic scene devoted to the arts and exploration. Come join Judy from home as she shares pictures, stories, and some lovely memories until next years’ travels to the land “down under”.
MEETING DETAILS: February 10 @ 6:30PM, Wednesday (normal meeting day).
HOW TO JOIN THE MEETING: Access Information will be sent by Guild eNews on Friday, February 5.
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PARTICIPATED IN A ZOOM MEETING:
you know the drill.
IF YOU ARE NEW TO ZOOM:
you will need to have the Zoom Client App on your device (computer, tablet, phone). The easiest way to do this is to go to the following URL: https://zoom.us/test
You will be asked if you want to download the Zoom Client, and given the opportunity to test your connection.
Alternatively, you can use your web browser to go to https://zoom.us/ and download the Zoom Client App (find and click on “Resources” at the top of the page, select “Download Zoom Client”, and follow instructions). Again, go to https://zoom.us/test to test your connection.
When it is time for the actual meeting, you need only click on the URL in the June 5 eNews email; you will be asked if you want to open Zoom, and offered instructions on how to continue.
TEST YOUR CONNECTION: again, after you have installed the Zoom Client App, you can test your connection by going to
https://zoom.us/test in your web browser, and following instructions.
Contact information for help will be in the June 5 email. But first, try the link: https://zoom.us/test
We look forward to seeing all of you
I call myself a sculptural basket maker. My work focuses on transforming common materials into innovative, urban vessels that reflect abstract ideas, including societal excess and throwaway consumerism. I strive to give the viewer a process of discovery. What at first seems like conventional fibers may turn out to be a subtle arrangement of piano innards, shoulder pads, forks, curlers, spools, or my favorite, cable ties. I believe anything can be basket material.
My goal is to create contemporary interpretations of a tradition craft using non-traditional ingredients. Thus, I can explore the concept that even objects we take for granted can become works of art. My pieces represent the eternal truth that wonder can be found anywhere and everywhere, as long as you remain open and determined to find it.
Everyone, we are having the traditional potluck and gift exchange for our November 11th meeting. However, since we are having this meeting via Zoom you are on your own for potluck choices. Maybe a small selection to nibble on during the meeting?
The big event of the evening is the virtual gift exchange that has been orchestrated by Barbara Osborne. A total of 36 members, including one of our newest members Cael Chappell, have agreed to participate. All participants will have received their unopened gift before the meeting. During the meeting we will see the look of surprise, or confusion, on their faces as they open their gift in front of us all.
Please join us on November 11th to catch up with old friends, make some new friends, and find out what everyone is up to. Then kick back with some snacks and watch the gift exchange extravaganza!
Fish skins are an amazing resource that are often overlooked as a basketry material and simply discarded as waste. Who knew that they could be utilized to make unique and beautiful baskets! Join us online to learn how to prepare and cure this amazing weaving material.
Northwest basket weaver Karen Sherwood shares the process of fish skin curing, which she learned from Athabascan basket maker Audrey Armstrong while visiting Alaska. The program will begin with a slide presentation on salmon skin basket making followed by a demonstration on the process of fish skin preparation and curing. Karen will show samples of different types of skins she has cured as well as a display of her baskets showing the unique, new direction she has taken this old tradition.
Cael Chappell’s basket making grows from his love of basketry. Seventeen years before weaving his first basket, Cael founded Baskets of Africa, a fair-trade company committed to economic empowerment for basket weavers from over 15 countries. Traveling across Africa to meet weavers, Cael discovered that basketry is as diverse as it is universal. After years of commitment to the art of basketry, Cael wove his first basket in 2017. He is inspired by global weaving traditions to create his own unique baskets.
Please join us on September 10th to hear Cael talk about his Baskets of Africa project, selling over 25,000 baskets a year, and how it inspired him to begin making baskets himself. The meeting will be virtual using the Zoom App.
MEETING DETAILS: Sept 10 @ 6:30PM, Thursday
2019-2020 Guild Meeting Programs (Sept-Aug)
- 1/8 Melinda West – Weaving Nature
- 2/12 Dorothy McGuinness – Conferences, Galleries & Exhibits.
- 3/11 Cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
- 4/8 Annual Meeting – Cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
- 5/13 Cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
- 6/10 George Hart – Basket Making in Spain (via ZOOM)
- 7/9 (Thursday) July General Guild Meeting (ZOOM).
July 19, 2020 : General Guild Meeting
Join Guild Members on ZOOM for an informal round-the-table Show and Share. Show baskets you’ve been working on, share other activities you’ve been doing, say hello to friends you’re missing!
MEETING DETAILS: July 9 @ 6:30PM, Thursday. Note the day is not our usual meeting day.
June 10, 2020 : George Hart - Basket Weaving by the Sea in Spain.
A virtual Guild Meeting will be held on June 10, starting at 6:30 PM, featuring George Hart. George will share his experience participating in the September 2019 Weaving By The Sea workshop in Spain. Last year George received a NWBW grant to take basket classes in the Catalan area of Spain. Please join us at 6:30pm on June 10th, via Zoom, when George will tell us about his adventure. He will talk about the classes he took working with a great variety of techniques and materials used by many Catalan, Spanish and international makers. He will also talk about his travel to the Salt Basketry Fair in Salt, Spain with its demonstrations, exhibitions, activities and workshops.
NOTE: This Annual Business Meeting was not held, due to COVID-19 concerns. Instead, an election was held on-line by the general membership to approve the nominated slate of new members to the Board of Directors. This election was announced in the April Guild Newsletter and by email via eNews. Voting was active from 4/5-4/24/2020, resulting in unanimous approval of the slate.
The Annual Business Meeting is held the same night as our regularly scheduled March Guild meeting. Vivien Sharples, Joan Gallagher and Sue Van Wassenhove will be nominated to and voted on by the Guild Membership as new Board Directors. There are no other matters currently proposed for Guild Approval.
There will be no other presentations that night, except for show and share which will take place while the Board meets. Please bring baskets to share (from recent retreat or workshop or home); discuss techniques and materials for those less familiar.
The Board consists of at least 9 Directors, each serving up to 2 three-year-terms and elected by the Guild membership at the Annual Business Meeting; the Board of Directors elects specific Officers (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary) from among its ranks. 2019 Board Directors were, David Chambers, Jill Green, Joyce Lem, Jenny Lidington, Karen Engel, George Hart, Vicky Nickelson, Lynne Nork, Gay Vogt, Richard Vogt. For 2020, Jenny Lidington is stepping down as a Board Director.NOTE4/i
Dorothy McGuinness will share her extensive knowledge on conferences, galleries, and exhibitions. Conferences she has attended include the one that started the National Basketry Organization in 1999 and was hosted by the Handweavers Guild of America, as well as the latest NBO conference in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She will talk about her experiences at these conferences, and what to expect if you are thinking about attending one yourself.
Dorothy will also talk about entering juried exhibits and dealing with galleries, including where she finds exhibits and galleries to show her work, and the drawbacks and pitfalls to look for when applying.
Winter is the best time to do the hard work of transformation, especially if you are a Western Red Cedar Tree. This is the season when the layer of leather-like inner bark, that generations of Salish weavers have gathered each spring, will become a layer of wood, in a growth-ring that may one day be counted.
Melinda West will share a presentation that highlights some of the transformative experiences and lessons she has learned from the plants, and from her students, over the nearly four decades of sharing the art and culture of plant fiber weaving.
Melinda will take us on a short power-point journey through the seasonal round of gathering materials, with examples of how those plant materials can be used in various projects to help students gain skills, have fun making things, and develop their knowledge of culture, science and art.