Weaving it forward

When weaver Teri Fitzgerald was gifted a wealth of basketry materials, she immediately wanted to share the windfall.

"I knew right away that I wanted to do something with the kids," Fitzgerald told the BVD.

An experienced basket maker who had conducted workshops at Lincoln School in the past, Fitzgerald said it had been several years since she'd done so. Then, last year, local artisan Becky Thurman made her a gift of her collection of basketry materials and patterns.

The raffia, willow and other material Thurman gave her were enough to fill her SUV, Fitzgerald told the BVD.

"She gave me a lot of really nice materials, and a ton of beautiful basket weaving books and her patterns," Fitzgerald said. "I told her I'd have to pay it forward in some way or another."

Nearly a year after receiving Thurman's gift, Fitzgerald has just completed a series of hands-on workshops with Lincoln School students in grades 3 through 6. Lincoln Schools art teacher April Erickson said Fitzgerald approached her about the classes and provided the majority of materials for each child to make their own basket.

"She said that she'd had all of these reeds and willow donated and she would love to do some classes with the elementary kids. They used to do it, years ago," said Erickson. "I thought it was awesome, because I had no clue how to do basket weaving."

Fitzgerald chose to have the children work with raffia fibers, which are more flexible and easier to handle than willow.

Erickson said Fitzgerald spent two sessions, a total of four to six hours, with each grade.

"Each kid made their own basket, and they all turned out completely different," she said. "She provided everything. We had the shop classes cut bases and drill holes in them, but otherwise she brought everything. She also taught me, and she left a bunch of the extra reeds and willows and everything, so that I could continue it with the kids."

"I wanted to get in there and get it going, and I finally did," said Fitzgerald, who said she enjoyed the time with students. "We tried to wrap it up before the end of the year. They all were having a blast. They wanted to keep going and do another one."

One of mankind's oldest textile arts, basketry is the craft of making interwoven objects – usually containers - from flexible materials, such as twigs, grasses and roots and, in modern times, plastics or other synthetic materials. There are several types and methods of basketry, each using specific materials.

Fitzgerald first took up basketry 40 years ago, when she was taught by a friend. A homemaker and young mother of two at the time, Fitzgerald warmed to the ancient craft and has become known in the community for her skill.

"She taught me, and I've been making them ever since – making all kinds of weird things," said Fitzgerald, who said she'd also taken a class from Thurman on weaving with willows, in the past.

Erickson said she enjoys introducing students to artisan crafts such as pottery or basketry, and the kids love it too.

"Even if they don't go into schooling for art, it gives them a hobby or a skill, so I love it," she said.