Clay Burnette
He has exhibited his baskets at the Smithsonian Craft Show, Philadelphia Craft Show, ACC Atlanta Craft Show, ACC Charlotte Craft Show, SOFA New York, and SOFA Chicago. His works have been included in numerous printed publications including Contemporary International Basketmaking; Baskets: Tradition and Beyond; 500 Baskets; and Craft in America: Celebrating the Creative Work of the Hand. His most recent work can be seen in Tradition/Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft & Traditional Art, a regional exhibition that is touring the southeastern US. His work is also part of a 3year exhibit at the US Embassy in Dakar, Senegal as part of the US Art in Embassies Program. In addition to basketmaking, Clay is also a handweaver and has a background in metalsmithing and ceramics. He has managed a custom jewelry store as well as a fine crafts gallery, and was a retail/wholesale buyer of fine crafts for many years. He has served as a juror and judge for numerous crafts events throughout the region.
Clay splits his time between his job as Director of Grants and Fellowships at the SC Arts Commission and his fibers studio in Columbia. His work can also be viewed at: www.clayburnette.com