Instructor:
Judith Saunders
Workshop Name:
Exploring Design Through Basketry
Date: April 1st-7th, 2024
A Norfolk, VA native, Judith retired from the Norfolk Public School System, following thirty years as an art educator. While teaching, she took a class at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN for recertification credits. The class was “Plaited Basketry” with Shereen LaPlantz.
“That class in 1986 truly changed my life. I continued weaving on my own, not taking another class until I retired in 2002 when I joined guilds and attended conventions taking classes with as many teachers as possible. I learned from every teacher, but found I never remade a class basket. I believe that weaving on my own all those years is why I still prefer designing baskets rather than following patterns that are someone else’s design.“
Judith is currently a member of the National Basketry Organization, the Handweavers Guild of America, as well as several regional associations and guilds. She has taught basketry workshops in Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania including the John C. Campbell Folk School, NC.
Judith has had work in many juried exhibitions including NBO Exhibitions and Hand Weavers Guild of America’s Small Expressions Exhibitions, and her work is included in the Contemporary Basketry Artists section of the book Plaited Basketry with Birch Bark by Vladimir Yarish, Flo Hoppe and Jim Widess and in the NBO 2016 Winter Quarterly publication where her work is featured on the cover and includes her member profile. She has been the recipient of numerous awards around the country.
About the Workshop
In this workshop, students will be exposed to a variety of materials and techniques. Each student will have the opportunity to plan what he/she wants to explore during the week. Students may choose to spend the week advancing skills on a particular technique or choose to explore multiple techniques using materials provided. There will be no patterns to follow. The instructor will guide each individual in designing his/her creations.
The instructor will provide painted watercolor paper and tooling copper for those interested in plaiting. There will be waxed linen and waxed cotton cords for those who are interested in looping and twining. The instructor will provide an assortment of foraged plant fibers for those more interested in working with natural materials.
Students can expect to complete several projects depending on the degree of complexity, as well as the individual’s weaving experience.
There is no requirement for minimum or maximum number of projects. That number may vary with each student depending on the size and complexity of individual projects.
Weaving Skill Level: Advanced weavers and relatively new weavers can each be challenged and will receive appropriate guidance while creating.
What students should bring: Students should bring basic tools if they have them. They should be marked in some way so not to be confused with tools the instructor will bring for class use. An apron and old towel are always advisable, as is a notebook or sketchbook. Students may bring a bottle to weave around if desired. The instructor will have some available, but based on pictures, some students may want to bring their own. Experienced weavers may prefer to bring their own waxed linen or cotton cords to guarantee having specific colors.
Basket Samples:
1. Plaited Copper & Paper
2. Plaited Paper
3. Plaited Paper
4. Bottle One
5. Bottle Two
6. Bottle Three
7. Mixed Media
8. Mixed Media
9. Mixed Media
A materials fee will be paid directly to Instructor based on the actual quantity and cost of materials selected by each student, not to exceed $100. Students should bring cash or check to pay their materials fee. (Judith does not accept charge payments.)
5 Day, 6 Nights Workshop Package Includes: 6 nights onsite lodging, private chef prepared meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and 5 days of instruction in a private venue.
Supply fees paid directly to instructor.
Meals and Lodging: $1,100 per person private room, $720 per person shared room
Tuition/Fees: $660
Total Package Price: $1,380-$1,760
Non-refundable deposit of $250 due to hold workshop space. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to workshop start date.
