Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

Artist in the Woods Residency at IslandWood

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I am grateful to have been nutured as an artist and communicator through my 15 year relationship with IslandWood.  Each year, while serving as an Artist in Residence, I've met nearly 3,000 wonderful people that have changed my life in some way. Young people that I would have never chanced to meet. Outstanding teachers, scientists, cultural leaders, … [Read more...]

IslandWood Artist in Residence

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  IslandWood is an environmental learning center located on Bainbridge Island. For most students it is a westward trip from Seattle across the water on a Washington State Ferry. One of the highlights of my year, aside from spending time with my own grandkids, is being able to share the passion I have for weaving with plant-fibers with … [Read more...]

About Melinda

Forty 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. It looked wildly made like a crazy bird’s nest. While being together with my two sons on a beautiful Pacific Northwest shoreline, this simple experience of crafting with the natural materials at hand kindled a passion for creating forms using plant fibers. 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