“Casual Basket Sunday” programs feature Woven of Wood exhibit

East Tennessee Baskets will be the featured exhibit at "Casual Basket Sundays" at the East Tennesee History Center.

KNOXVILLE — In conjunction with the new feature exhibition, Woven of Wood: East Tennessee Baskets, 1880-1940, the East Tennessee Historical Society will be holding a series of “Casual Basket Sundays” and special demonstrations by members of the Foothills Craft Guild. Guests are invited to bring their baskets, share stories, and meet with basket experts. Programs include:

April 25-27, Friday and Saturday - 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Sunday - 1:00-5:00 pm
Basket Making Demonstrations
There will be basket making demonstrations from members of the Foothills Crafts Guild on the porch and front lobby of the East Tennessee History Center. Featured artists include Karen Kenst, Sue Mowen, Judy and Virgil Davis, Bill Alexander, and Jim Gentry.

April 27, 2:00-4:00, A United States show and tell gathering
Collectors will show their favorite or unusual baskets made roughly from 1880-1940, regardless of where in the United States they were made. Examples are likely to be seen from Pennsylvania, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri, and Middle Tennessee, as well as Native American. Each collector will tell something about his basket, either why it is a favorite or something of its history. There will also be basket demonstrations by featured basket maker Billy Sims and Sue Mowen and Bill Alexander from the Foothills Craft Guild.

May 11, beginning at 2:00, Mother’s Day Gallery Tours
Interactive gallery tours of the East Tennessee Historical Society’s feature exhibit Woven of Wood lead by guest curator Carole Carpenter Wahler. Museum visitors will learn about baskets and their features and are welcome to join in at any time.

May 18, 2:00-4:00, Casual Basket Sunday- A world wide show and tell gathering
Collectors will show baskets made anywhere in the world, at any time, and of any materials. Examples are likely to be seen from Australia, Africa, Philippines, England, and China, as well as baskets made in Tennessee from the middle of the 20th century to the present. Each collector will tell something about his basket, either why it is a favorite or something of its history. A gallery tour of Woven of Wood will take place immediately following the show and tell gathering.

“Casual Basket Sundays” are free and open to the public and will take place at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street.

Published April 16, 2014