Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

New Suquamish Museum

By

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...]

Pearls of Experience

By

I will have four of my shaped bark pieces in the Pearls of Experience exhibit at the  Schack Art Center, in Everett, Washington.  This exhibit will feature traditional and contemporary basketry and sculptural fiber-art crafted by members of the Northwest Basket Weavers Guild.  The opening is August 9th, 2012, from 5 to 8 pm.  The exhibit will be up … [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.
Read More
Melinda West and basket, Indianola WA