Textiles: Cherokee Basket Weaving
Students will learn the history of Cherokee basket making materials from pre-European contact through to contemporary Oklahoma Cherokee weaving. Following Sarah H. Hill in her book, Weaving New Worlds: Southeastern Cherokee Women and Their Basketry, we will meet some notable weavers and touch on different material traditions. The DAM Indigenous Arts of North America has a small selection of basketry from the Original Peoples of the Southeastern US and their descendants, and this class will both expose students to more examples of these traditions and give them an opportunity to weave their own round reed Oklahoma style Cherokee basket.
What to Expect: In the first session, the instructor will spend the first 60-90 minutes presenting a close look at Cherokee basket weaving traditions and weavers, students are welcome to move around as needed during lecture and discussion. The instructor will spend 20-30 minutes demonstrating starting, shaping/forming, and finishing a basket. For the remainder of the class, the instructor will provide step-by-step instruction to the group, followed by one-on-one support. After the demonstrations, students are free to take breaks, including lunch, as needed. Every student will be able to finish at least one basket, possibly more.
In the second session, class will begin with a shorter presentation on significant Cherokee weavers, during which students can feel free to work on baskets. The instructor will spend 20-30 minutes providing a demonstration of double walled basket weaving, followed by one-on-one support. Students are welcome to take breaks as needed.
Creative Classes are taught in a studio art environment and offer an opportunity to learn from professional creatives through traditional and experimental approaches. Each class is uniquely designed by a creative educator for an adult audience, designed to help you learn a new skill or expand your own creative practice. Explore the Summer/Fall 2025 class schedule.
About the Educator
Salix is a 35-year-old two-spirit, multiracial creator and educator of Muscogee/Cherokee descent. Salix has had baskets on display at the Evergreen Center for the Arts, and they teach basket weaving for Colorado Native Org's Native cultural night. You can also find them at events such as the Harvest of All First Nations Corn Festival, and áyA Con Denver.
