Basketry demonstration day at BAM

Katherine Lewis demo at Bellevue Arts Museum

Katherine Lewis demo at Bellevue Arts Museum

Katherine was invited to participate in a basketry demonstration day at the Bellevue Arts Museum this past Saturday, Feb. 7. Another one of a series of events surrounding one of BAM’s current exhibits: “Intertwined: Contemporary Baskets from the Sara and David Lieberman Collection (through March 22, 2009). There were five demonstrating artists – Dona Anderson, Dorothy McGuinness, Bill Roeder, Judy Zugish, and Katherine. There was also a “hands-on weaving” table staffed by members of the Northwest Basket Weavers Guild including Mary Irvine, Mary Auld, Carol Williams, Pat Reese, Pat Rytkonen, and Claudia Mullek. There were quite a few people taking in the demos as well as the great exhibits. Katherine made an oval shopping basket for her demonstration. One of the fun moments comes when she is “staking up” the basket. It takes a lot of floor space but always attracts an audience.

Katherine staking up the basket

Katherine staking up the basket

Some more of the talented participants:

Dona Anderson

Dona Anderson

Dorothy McGuinness

Dorothy McGuinness

Bill Roeder

Bill Roeder

Judy Zugish

Judy Zugish

Northwest Basket Weavers Guild members

Northwest Basket Weavers Guild members

After the day’s events, we viewed the museum exhibits. It was Steve’s  first view of the Intertwined exhibit. There was some great works. A few that stood out for me were baskets  by Leon Niehues, Pearl Nuvangyaoma, Sally Black, Mary Black, Dawn Walden, Fujinoma Noboru, Carol Stein, and Dorothy Gill Barnes.

Then we went out into neighboring Bellevue to find something to eat. Saturday night in downtown was a sensory overload for this country bumpkin!

Ries Niemi's purse sculpture

Ries Niemi's purse sculpture

Katherine ‘trapped’ in our friend and fellow Skagit County resident Ries Niemi’s purse sculpture outside the BAM’s entrance.

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