Since time immemorial Indigenous cultures all over the world have gathered, refined, and passed forward their Traditional Ecological Knowledge through practicing their traditional arts, including plant fiber technologies such as weaving. Passing forward earth sciences and cultural knowledge in such a way is part of the oral tradition. Unlike the modern industrial culture of today, the oral traditions come with the understanding and point of view of reciprocity, inclusion, and personal relationships.
Weaving with plant fibers is a living art form. Nothing I write or share in this website can substitute for a relationship with a Living Master at their craft. I implore you, if you are interested in learning anything well, please look, and find a Living Master near you. Or travel to them if you can. I think about the knowledge I've been given as a tree. My teachers and my own ancestors are the roots and sap, my origins. My family and community are strength of the trunk, which supports me in every way. My students, and their students, are the branches and the seeds. We are all part of a forest of living knowledge.
Local History – Interview With Barbara Ann Lawrence – Suquamish Tribal Cultural Teacher and Storyteller
I live on the traditional land of the Suquamish People. There is so much history and culture here and all the time I’m learning more, hearing more of the Lushootseed language spoken, watching the canoes being crafted and returning to the waters, witnessing the weavers teaching the next generation of weavers.
Here’s What’s Cooking – Porch Paper Making
To remain sane, what do you do? I’m cooking Sword Ferns this month to see if the green leaves can make a good paper.
Grateful for a Community That Supports Local Artists
Syd and I want to thank all of you who came out to visit us and support our work during the Art in the Woods Studio Tour.
Art in the Woods Studio Tour 2024
We hope to see you next weekend. Painter Sydni Sterling and I are in Sterling Studio which is Studio #2 in Indianola, just a block away from the Indianola Country Store.
Mathewson and West’s Woven Wearables Workshop at BARN
Mathewson and West collaborate to teach “Woven Wearables” at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network.
Mathewson and West’s October Workshop At Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network
Spend three inspired days exploring local plant-fiber use and universal fiber techniques with two contemporary plant-fiber artists, Margaret Mathewson and Melinda West, at the Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network.
Betty Pasco – Recipient of the Bainbridge Island Museum of Arts BRAVA AWARD in 2023
Thinking about one of my favorite people in the world, Betty Pasco.
Ed Carriere-National Heritage Fellowship Tribute Video (2023)
This is a poignant tribute film made by the National Endowment for the Arts to honor the Ed Carriere, recipient of a National Heritage Fellowship in 2023.
Ed Carriere Receives the National Heritage Fellowship Award in September 2023
Suquamish Elder Ed Carriere goes to Washington DC to receive his award. He is accompanied by his granddaughter and three of his great-grandchildren.
