Maine Indian basketry focus of big Fiber Arts exhibit

Talk, workshop also
offered at gallery

BRUNSWICK — “Maine Indian Basketry” is an exhibition on view now through June 30 at Maine Fiberarts, 13 Main St., Topsham. The exhibition includes 78 baskets woven by over 30 Wabanaki basket makers.

A reception and art conversation with Penobscot basket maker Theresa Secord will take place from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, May 24; the public welcome.

The Wabanaki or “People of the Dawn” include members of the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet and Micmac tribes who hail from the northern and down east regions of Maine. They have a long standing tradition of weaving baskets prized for their utility and fine craftsmanship.

Since January, members of a curatorial committee have been gathering baskets for Maine Fiberarts’ show from the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, from Home & Away Gallery in Kennebunkport, from several private collectors, and from the artists themselves.

Baskets include both historical and contemporary examples. While the materials used are mainly brown ash and sweetgrass, the techniques employed vary widely. Point baskets, curly baskets, handkerchief, alewife, button, sewing, and birch baskets are all on view. Baskets shaped like corn and radishes, stand next to work baskets with handles, and baskets that are 18 inches tall.

The exhibition includes the work of David Moses Bridges, Pam Cunningham, George Neptune, Clara Keezer, Molly Neptune Parker, Jeremy Frey, Fred Tomah, Mary Sanipass, Theresa Secord, and Sarah Sockbeson, to name only a few.

From 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 13, Passamaquoddy basketmaker George Neptune will offer a talk at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick on the topic of “Collecting Maine Baskets.” Finally, from 1 to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 20,Theresa Secord will offer a hands-on workshop at Topsham Public Library entitled “Weaving an Ash and Sweetgrass Bookmark.” Admission to the workshop is free for the first 20 people who sign up by emailing: [email protected] or by calling 207-725-1727.