The Basketry Network was founded in 1988 following the successful Basketry Focus '87, an international conference of basketmakers. Member meetings are held during the Fall, Winter, and Spring, often involving min-workshops and potluck lunch. There are also extended workshops with major basektmakers and one-day workshops at other times.The Basketry Network has organized five "Basketry Blitz" events, during which a number of workshops are all taught simultaneous, thus giving all participants the opportunity to see what everyone is doing.
Each year, the Basketry Network Spring Show and Sale brings a large group of members together to exhibit and sell pieces of their work. Many members also demonstrate their skills to the public at this event.
The Basketry Network, through groups of members coming together, has participated numerous events: organization of the Festival of Fibres at Harbourfront; exhibitions at Riverdale Farm and at Harbourfront; demonstrations and sales at the Cabbagetown Festival and demonstrations at the One of-a-Kind Show. In 2002, the Basketry Network was the "guest artist" at Autumn Treasures in Peterborough. In 2003, we co-sponsored the Southwestern Ontario Basketry Conference in Strathroy and the month of February, 2003 saw the debut of our own Website at http://ca.geocities.com/basketmaking
Members receive newsletters 4 times per year as well as 4 issues of THE BASKETRY EXPRESS, currently published in British Columbia.
MANDATE of The Basketry Network The Basketry Network was founded in 1988 in order to fill the perceived need for an organization that would create and maintain communication among those interested in basketry, whether as a collector or maker; as one interested in the history and ethnography of basketry traditions or as one interested in nontraditional, contemporary art.
To this end, the Network offers workshops with local basketmakers, as well as with artists from outside the Southern Ontario area. The Network publishes 4 newsletters annually and provides each of its members with a subscription to THE BASKETRY EXPRESS.
Meetings held at times throughout the year provide opportunities to share knowledge and expand interests among the members. Our annual Spring Exhibition and Sale participation in a number of other major Craft Shows, gives members incentive to create work for the public, as well as creating a sense of community.
The Basketry Network also acts as a resource for nonmembers. We have provided baskets for photo shoots, demonstrators at various community events and teachers of basketry for a variety of organizations. We truly attempt to be a network, gathering and disseminating knowledge and thus maintaining the traditions of basketry.
Life Members Ankaret Dean ~~~~ Melinda Mayhall ~~~~ Harriet Meacher ~~~~ Helen Barker