Slideshow / K Lewis, basketmaker
Katherine Lewis , willow basketmaker
Katherine Lewis is a basketmaker in the Pacific Northwest where she has been weaving willow since 1992. She works on her farm near Mount Vernon, Washington where she grows selected varieties of basketry willow allowing her to choose from an array of natural colors and weaving qualities. Katherine’s goal is to weave willow baskets that are functional and durable while reflecting the natural beauty of the willows.
Katherine has studied with accomplished basketmakers from England, Switzerland, France, and Scotland; including traveling three times to the UK and Europe to tutor with basketmakers, tour the willow growing areas, and learn more about the willow basketmaking traditions. Her instructors have included Adrian Charlton, Jenny Crisp, David Drew, Sally Goymer, Werner Turtschi, Norbert Faure, Alastair Heseltine, Mary Butcher, and Lise Bech. An extensive background in traditional European techniques coupled with willow growing has given her the abilities and inspiration to pursue this traditional craft with her own vision.
Katherine has been invited to exhibit her work by the Anacortes Arts Festival, La Conner Arts Alive, Museum of Northwest Art, Skagit Historical Museum, Arts Council of Snohomish County, Museum of Contemporary Craft (Portland, OR), The Bascom (Highlands, NC), the Philip Dickel Basket Museum (Amana, Iowa), and the Fuller Craft Museum (Brockton, MA). In 2011, three of Katherine’s baskets were acquired by the Smithsonian American Art Museum through a generous donation by basket collectors Steven Cole and Martha Ware.
Katherine began teaching basketry in 2004. Her classes emphasize different techniques and styles of stake and strand willow basketry. She teaches at home in Mount Vernon, as well as traveling to teach thru basket guilds in the Northwest. In addition, Katherine has been instrumental in bringing basketmakers from Europe to teach in the Northwest, including Adrian Charlton, Werner Turtschi, and Eva Seidenfaden.
Katherine Lewis is a member of the Northwest Basket Weavers Guild, the National Basketry Organization, The Basketmakers’ Association (UK), and Skagit Artists Together. She was recently profiled in the article “Katherine Lewis: Willow Basketmaker” in Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot magazine (Spring 2010) published by the Handweavers Guild of America.
