by Juliette Marsden, Outpost Staff
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What began as one woman's search for fellow weavers 10 years ago has grown into the Great Basin Basketmakers. This group of diverse women creates a variety of baskets that reflect each personality.
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Molly Gardner, a weaver for three years, creates a basket while talking to visitors at a basketmaking display at Carson City's Brewery Arts Center.Photo by Juliette Marsden |
"It is really coming back because it's so satisfying (and) therapeutic," Gardner said. "I can't wait till I get home from work so I can start working on a basket."
Gardner's artistic interests began with dream catchers and led her to ceramics and gourds. Eventually she gained interest in baskets.
Gardner's interests have led her away from traditional baskets and into contemporary and free-form creations. She said she especially likes the Native American Indian style.
With each basket, she leaves much room for creativity.
"I don't know what it's going to be until I get there," Gardner said. "I don't like to follow anybody else's pattern. I hope to evolve into a better artist. Just being around those basketweavers, it rubs off on you."
President Joyce Fisher said the group's monthly gatherings help members find new ideas and learn from each other's work.
"It's a wonderful group of women working together, supporting one another," Fisher said. "It's a place where you can go when your creativity is blocked and they'll just help you out."
Fisher spends much of her time working with gourds. Each member specializes in her own type of basket. Basket varieties include pine needle and reed baskets, as well as baskets made from antlers. Some even use watercolors to paint intricate designs on gourds.
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Hand-decorated gourds by members of the Great Basin Basketmakers were displayed at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City in March. Above (from biggest to smallest) is "Water Carrier" by Joyce Fisher, "Bear Hunt" by Julie Stein and "Lidded Pine Nedles with Wooden Beads" by Linda Havens. Photo by Juliette Marsden |
A variety of materials are used to create the baskets, including dried reed, feathers, willow, wool and seagrass. Deer antlers are also used as handles for some baskets.
Fisher said carrying on the basketmaking tradition, which began thousands of years ago, is part of her motivation.
"It's taking these simple materials that have been around for thousands of years and making them into something beautiful and something which is a part of you," she said.
But there is more to it than just continuing tradition.
"I love to use my hands," Fisher said. "It is so soothing. I have such a feeling of peace. It's a good way to let yourself work out your frustrations with your hands."
Fisher said basketweaving has given her confidence in her artistic ability.
"I can now say yes, I am a creative person. I can take very simple materials and make them beautiful."
Basketweavers look to many sources for inspiration. Member Bobbie Talso recently took a basketry trip to Mexico, accompanied by Oregon basketweaver Judy Zafforoni. Much time was spent learning and exchanging techniques and weaving baskets. However, the group also spent a day in the jungle gathering materials.
For Talso, the inspiration to weave baskets came from her years of teaching on a Paiute Indian reservation at Pyramid Lake. Talso gained an appreciation for the Indians and became fascinated by their basketry and weaving skills.
"I decided I wanted to learn to weave," she said. "It's interesting how any hobby takes you to different places in your life. It gives you an entree into a world and a culture."
"When you're weaving, you lose yourself in (the art). It gives you some satisfaction to learn to do a new thing. It also connects you to other people, ideas. It's a way of connecting to that time in our lives."
The Great Basin Basketmakers meet the first Thursday of each month at the Sierra Arts Center. Meetings begin at 1 p.m.
For information on the next basket show, contact president Joyce Fisher at 826-9513.
Story posted 3/10/98