Kelly Church shown with two of her baskets.
SULPHUR, OKLAHOMA – The Chickasaw Nation will offer a black ash basketry workshop 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 26, at the ARTesian Gallery and Studios, 100 W. Muskogee St. in Sulphur.
Instructor Kelly Church will discuss harvesting black ash wood to weave into baskets, then demonstrate the craft while participants create their own traditional round bottom basket.
Church’s materials are harvested from woods and forests in Michigan. She utilizes black ash, white cedar, birch bark, sweetgrass and basswood when basket weaving.
Black ash wood is sought after due to its flexible nature which makes it ideal for basket weaving. Black ash baskets are versatile and can be used as market baskets, baby baskets, sewing baskets, laundry baskets or pieces of art.
Eight seats are open to the public for the workshop. An enrollment fee of $100 includes instruction and supplies. To enroll, call the ARTesian Gallery and Studios at (580) 622-8040.
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