Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

Growing, gathering, and weaving with plant fibers from the Pacific Northwest

Land Acknowledgement 2020

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Land Acknowledgement 2020 I acknowledge that I reside on the traditional territory of the Suquamish Peoples, People of the Clear Salt Water, whose ancestors have lived here from time immemorial, preserving the land and waters that five generations of my own family have benefitted from. I express my deepest respect and gratitude for all indigenous … [Read more...]

2020 Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network Workshops

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Hello Fellow Learners! If you’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to learn to:  Weave with Cedar Bark; Skein and Weave with Willow; Create Fancy Baskets and Borders with Rattan; Weave with Willow Bark; Weave with Fish Skin and Cedar Bark; Work with Birch Bark; Create a Random Weave and Paper Vessel; Prepare and Weave Bamboo; Weave all your … [Read more...]

Northwest Basket Weavers Guild Program – January 8, 2020

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Welcome to the new year 2020.  I’ll be sharing a presentation at the Northwest Basket Weavers Guild meeting at Phinney Neighborhood Center in Seattle on January 8th. For information about time, how to come as a guest, info about membership, please check out their website at: nwbasketweavers.org Location is:  Phinney Neighborhood Center - Room … [Read more...]

Art in the Woods Studio Tour 2019 – Nov 8,9,10, 10am-5pm

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Sydni Sterling and I have been participating in the Art in the Wood Studio Tour since it’s inception.  This show brings out art lovers from all over the state, and sometimes from out of state - friends getting together to seriously pursue local art while having fun together.  We hope you’ll come by Studio #4 to see our new work, and perhaps have … [Read more...]

IslandWood Artist Residency Spring 2018 – Blog Catching Up

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I’ve never gotten to teach with a baby on board, but having 7 week old Verite with us for some of our teaching time added to the experience of sharing sharing skills in a more traditional way - as a family. Verie’s mom, Kah-Ty-Ah Lawrence Moran, was team-teaching with me for the two weeks of my IslandWood Artist Residency in May of … [Read more...]

About Melinda

Thirty years ago, while sitting on the beach playing with my young children, I made my first basket out of a pile of willow trimmings someone had tossed there. The experience of weaving with the materials at hand while being together with my sons on a beautiful Pacific Northwest shoreline, kindled a passion for creating art from natural plant materials. I thank my family, my community, and all my teachers for cultivating this gift in me.
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Melinda West and basket, Indianola WA