Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Land Acknowledgement 2020

August 22, 2020 By Melinda

Walking to the studio-image by Claire Dibble

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...]

Filed Under: Community, My Teachers, News, Plants and Places, Resources Tagged With: Land Acknowledgement, Marilyn Wandrey, S’Klallam, Suquamish

IslandWood Artist Residency Spring 2018 – Blog Catching Up

June 5, 2019 By Melinda

Students plant young Cedar Trees

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...]

Filed Under: Community, News, Students, Weaving Nature Tagged With: Cedar Mat Necklace Pouch, IslandWood, IslandWood Artist in Residence, Suquamish

Ed Carriere – Culture Carrier – June 9, 6:30 – 8, 2017

May 11, 2017 By Melinda

Ed Carriere and Great-grandson Cody

http://bainbridgebarn.wildapricot.org/event-2485430 Please join Suquamish Elder, Master Weaver, carver, craftsman, and culture carrier, Ed Carriere, who with Plant Fiber Artist, Melinda West, are opening up the brand new Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network with an evening of learning. Ed Carriere will share some his own story of how weaving … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, My Teachers, News, Upcoming Tagged With: Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, Ed Carriere, Master Weaver, Suquamish

Ed Carriere Culture Carrier, June 9, 2017

March 6, 2017 By Melinda

I've always been aware that I live in a special community. There are so many folks in Indianola who amaze me by their kindness, brilliance, generosity, artistic skills, and by the hard-working and interesting lives they lead. One such individual is life-time Indianola resident, Ed Carriere. Ed Carriere is a quiet gentleman with many … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, My Teachers, News, Upcoming Tagged With: Ancient Salish Basketry, Biderbost Basket, Ed Carriere, Suquamish, Washington State Historical Society Peace and Friendship Award

New Suquamish Museum

October 18, 2012 By Melinda

New Suquamish Museum Opens

One sunny day this past September, something wonderful happened.  Like watching a birth, I became a witness to the opening of the new Suquamish Museum. Documentary film maker, Katie Jennings and I, were fortunate to attend a special dedication for this beautiful new museum.  How nice that "Crow" made a special appearance as we met for tea before … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Resources Tagged With: Barbara Santos, Ed Carriere, Gloria Nusse, Greg George, Karen James, Katie Jennings, Martha George, Media Alley, Suquamish, Suquamish Museum, Suquamish Peoples, Washington

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Recent Posts

  • Spring – It’s on the Way
  • Water Is Life – A Song Worth Hearing
  • Suquamish Elder Ed Carriere is a 2023 National Heritage Fellow
  • Our Sacred Obligation – A Story Worth Spreading
  • Basketry Program at BARN-Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network

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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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