Appalachian Traditions is our free webinar discussion series with instructors from our master-artist-led series on traditional Appalachian craft. These hour-long conversations provide a space for instructors in traditional craft to share their personal stories and discuss their creative process.
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Sue Williams is recognized for the preservation of the Cannon County white oak basket making tradition, one of the most renowned basket making traditions in the United States. Sue’s commitment to education, advocacy, and teaching the tradition has secured a future for the this style beyond the original basket making families of Cannon County, Tennessee. We are delighted to have Sue teach the Cannon County white oak basket style regularly at the Folk School.
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When I found out Pattie Bagley (Resident Artist for Baskets, Brooms, and Chair Seats/local mischief maker) was teaching an introductory rib baskets class, I knew I wanted a spot in the class. Right before coming down to the Folk School to begin my term as a second-time host, I completed my masters degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) – a rehabilitation profession that focuses on working with people to regain function and get back to meaningful occupation (self-care, leisure and work) after illness, injury or disability. Traditionally OTs have used crafts such as basket-weaving as a way to work on rehabilitation-related goals. There is also a strong connection between OT and the Folk School. Murray Martin, who was integral to the growth and success of the Brasstown carvers, was trained as an occupational therapist. For all these reasons, I knew it would be a special week for me. What I didn’t know was that Jan Stansell, an expert basket-maker, long-time Folk School instructor, and recent stroke survivor, would be one of my classmates.
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For the ten students who attended last week’s Natural Vine Basketry class, every basket they made began with a walk in the woods. The 6-day class began Sunday night with an orientation by instructor and basketmaker Matt Tommey (http://www.matttommey.com) that included information on how to identify, gather and prepare natural materials for basketweaving. After plenty of questions and a good night’s rest, the class headed for the woods on Monday morning.
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Another wonderful week at John C. Campbell Folk School has come and gone. Again, my daughter and I found ourselves not willing to leave. She took a jewelry class using blacksmithing techniques and enjoyed it immensely, while I took a very interesting basketry class with instructor Nancy Jones. The techniques Nancy taught me were new and different from others I had learned previously. After studying Peruvian ceremonial burial baskets, Nancy was able to reproduce the style in modern baskets. Nancy used her findings in these Peruvian baskets as a basis for the unique twill technique she taught us during the class.
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