Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

Carrying On Traditional Knowledge Through Weaving With Plants

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I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be together with a community of learners at IslandWood. For seventeen years the dedicated people at IslandWood have welcomed and supported my teaching/artist work, helping me learn to share my passion for making art with plant fibers. Anytime in life is the right time to learn new skills, or hone the skills we … [Read more...]

Community Programs at IslandWood

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<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-3301" src="http://www project collaboration software.melindawest.com/mwwp/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/image11-545x407.jpg" alt="accomplished cedar weaver at IslandWood" width="545" height="407" srcset="https://www.melindawest.com/mwwp/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/image11-545x407.jpg 545w, … [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