Princeton University Art Museum Acquires Historic, Record-breaking Native American Basket

Shown: Wutoni (Tina Charlie), Opo (basket), 1928-29 Princeton University Art Museum. Museum purchase, Fowler McCormick, Class of 1921, Fund. “Nearly two feet wide, the rotund opo, or basket, boasts a tight weave of willow shoots, roots and redbud… Read More

Submit Your Events to the NBO Calendar and Magazine

Submit your events, workshops, lectures, and exhibits at any time with this this free and easy-to-use calendar listing. Do a search first to see if you are already listed – if not, just click on the “Add New”… Read More

Donate to the NBO Annual Appeal!

Dear Friends, We have so much to be grateful for as we end 2022! The National Basketry Organization has thrived through tumultuous times because of our board and staff. This group is filled with creative thinkers working tirelessly… Read More

NBO Presents: Pat Hickman

During Virtually Woven 2022, Pat Hickman presented this lecture during our closing program. Pat and NBO have decided to make this seminal lecture widely available. This presentation will include the original recording with a live Question and Answer… Read More

From the NBO Magazine Archives

Take a break and enjoy archived issues of the NBO Magazine. More to come! (Above: Work by Lisa Heyl)

Tradition and Innovation in Basketry 11

The National Basketry Organization’s Upcoming 11th Biennial Conference Important Announcement SAVE THE DATES – June 20 to 24th, 2023 The National Basketry Organization’s Board and Staff are pleased to announce a return to the University of Puget Sound… Read More

Tradition and Modernity in Japanese Bamboo Baskets

In this webinar Margo Thoma, director of TAI Modern, gives a presentation outlining the history of bamboo baskets in Japan and the emergence of Japanese bamboo baskets as a contemporary art form. She introduces some of the leading… Read More

NBO Member Gallery

Did you know NBO has a member’s work gallery? Take time to enjoy a wide variety of styles, shapes and techniques. Are you an NBO member and would like your work included? It’s easy to do,  just read… Read More

Craft in America: Pomo Coiled Baskets

Take a moment to enjoy this video from PBS, December of 2018. Grace Hudson Museum Curator Sherrie Smith-Ferri on Pomo coil baskets. Bonus video from CALIFORNIA episode.

How a Century-Old Basket Weaving Industry Continues to Thrive

“This cottage industry in Antequera began in 1911, tourism officer Maria Lorna Jadulco tells us. Initially, the Antequeranons only made baskets for their own use …

Baskets of Beauty

(Photo by Kate Dearman) Inside her home studio on a quiet street in Lexington, Kentucky, the basket weaver and designer Emily Ridings turns out a breathtaking range of pieces that offer both contemporary flavor and old-fashioned high artistry:… Read More

Processing Hemp for Ropes – Eugenio Monesma “Lost Trades”

Eugenio Monesta is producer and director of ethnographic documentaries on culture, customs and trades of the rural world. The processing of materials for weaving and coiling is of interest to weavers around the world. Enjoy this short (and… Read More

Lambic Beer Baskets Are Timeless, Functional, and Trendy

Just in time for summer entertaining, a wonderful article in Wine Enthusiast magazine (photo by Brian Harrington) about James Tweed’s baskets for Belgian style beer! “Today, for well-aged beers, the question of sediment and how to get around… Read More

NBO Presents: How to Photograph Your Work

A useful training session on how to best photograph your work to show it off to its best advantage. A useful training session on how to best photograph your work to show it off to its best advantage…. Read More

Virtually Woven 2022 – Crossing Boundaries

THANK YOU to all who attended, participated, and spoke – the event was a smashing success!  More… 

Field Museum Confronts Its Outdated, Insensitive Native American Exhibition

(Photo – Field Museum/Jay Young/Smithsonian Magazine) Now, after nearly five years of collaboration with Native American community members representing 105 tribes, the Chicago natural history museum is unveiling a new replacement, and permanent, exhibition that aims to right… Read More

Clint McKay and Sherrie Smith-Ferri on Pomo Basketmaking

From the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, we share with you a short film by Clint McKay, Sherrie S. Clint McKay, and Sherrie Smith-Ferri on Pomo Basketmaking. Learn about the significance of historical and contemporary baskets… Read More

The World’s Tiniest Baskets?

If he ever did claim the title of World’s Smallest Basket Maker”, Francis of Eskasoni, Nova Scotia, figures it probably wouldn’t be long before he’d find a way to beat it again. “Each time I make a basket… Read More

NBO Member Exhibition: Every 1, 2022

NBO members are invited to submit work for the second NBO all-inclusive virtual exhibition: Every 1. This exhibition is being offered in conjunction with the online gathering Virtually Woven 2022, taking place at the time normally set for the biennial… Read More

Craft in America – Visionaries

VISIONARIES documents the ways in which artists and influencers inspire new generations to envision the limitless possibilities of craft. Featuring textile designer and founder of LongHouse Reserve Jack Lenor Larsen, weaver Kay Sekimachi, curator Helen Molesworth and Black… Read More

Craft in America – Mary Jackson: Memory

(Photo – Craft in America) Take 10 and enjoy Mary Jackson reminisce about sweetgrass baskets, her family, and generational teachers.

“Carriers of our Culture”

Enjoy a look-back article from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival written by C. Kurt Dewhurst, Marsha MacDowell and Marjorie Hunt. Across North America and throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Native people are engaged in artistic activities deeply rooted in the… Read More

Dorothy McGuinness: The Art of Contemporary Woven Paper Basketry

Congratulations to NBO member Dorothy McGuinness on the publication of her book “The Art of Contemporary Woven Paper Basketry: Explorations in Diagonal Twill”! Check out her new book here…

Afro-Libyan Cultural Traditions

Basketry — the intricate interlacing, tying and braiding of dyed and dried palm leaves into baskets, trays, carpets and wall decor, is a thousand-year-old tradition in Tuareg. (Continue reading…)

Basketry Dreams of a Brighter Future

For the Ro Ngao (a branch of the Ba Na ethnic minority), basketry is considered absolutely central to the very soul of their cultural identity. A Yak, 62, learnt to make baskets from his father as a young… Read More

NBO Presents: A Studio Tour with Charissa Brock

Hosted by Lindsay Ketterer-Gates, enjoy this tour of bamboo artist Charissa Brock’s studio. Charissa Brock, who works and teaches out of her studio near Portland, Oregon, has been making artwork with natural materials since 1994.  She discovered bamboo… Read More

NBO Presents!

NBO Presents programs are produced regularly and feature variety of basketry topics, makers, and methods. Missed and event? Watch it here!

A Story of Selling: Bilum in the Marketplace

The story of bilum begins in the remote villages where they are weaved in small communities.

National Basketry Organization Conference Announcement

Important Announcement about the upcoming NBO Biennial Conference !

Guilds for Weavers

NBO works to support the many guilds throughout the country and in Canada. These guilds are the bedrock of basketry education, offering a local or regional welcome to people interested in basketry. Each guild is independent and plans its own programs, welcoming new members and visitors alike. Following is a compiled list of the many guilds and their locations, along with the website or Facebook link for contact information.

About NBO

The National Basketry Organization is a non-profit organization that unites people interested in basketry to provide education and to promote basket making. Founded in the late 1990’s, the organization now has over 650 members, most of whom live in the United States and Canada. Although most of NBO’s members are basket makers, membership includes collectors, gallery owners, scholars, craft and art schools and museums.

Jackie Abrams

I create vessels with texture and color, in forms that are woven, stitched, layered, and constructed. Each vessel can stand alone, or can be connected and related with other pieces in support and unity, often representing a community… Read More

NBO Member Gallery

If you are an NBO member, you too can share your work in this online member gallery.  Details and instructions follow – have a look, be inspired!

2019 NBO Conference Sponsors

Please join with us in thanking and supporting these fine organizations for sponsoring the 2019 Tradition and Innovation in Basketry 10 Conference:

Welcome to the New Look for NBO!

We’re excited about all the changes coming soon, but first we wanted to share the new logo with you. We hope you like it!  

“Rooted, Revived, Reinvented” in Antiques and Fine Art Magazine

“Rooted, Revived, Reinvented: Basketry in America” authors and co-curators Jo Stealey and Kristin Schwain have collaborated on a wonderful article in Antiques and Fine Arts Magazine. Enjoy!

More Basketry

Planning on attending the 2019 NBO Conference in Bowling Green, Kentucky?  Well, plan on this, too! More Basketry (formerly More to Consider) is an open, unjuried invitational for work of NBO Members and conference attendees that will be displayed at… Read More

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2025 Conference Scholarship Opportunties

The National Basketry Organization maintains a full program of scholarships, grants and awards to encourage and support basket makers. NBO raises funds for these programs at events…

NBO Lifetime Achievement Awards

As we await the announcement of the 2019 NBO Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients, take a look back and marvel at the artistry of past recipients! The Award recognizes the work of individuals whose work has influenced the field of American basketry and acknowledges superior achievement over the course of an entire career. Recipients are living role models that have made extraordinary contributions to the creation, support and growth of the field of American Basketry.

About NBO

The National Basketry Organization is a non-profit organization that unites people interested in basketry to provide education and to promote basket making. Founded in the late 1990’s, the organization now has …

Tradition and Innovation in Basketry 10

We had a wonderful week – we hope you did, too!

Support NBO!

We are so grateful that you are a part of the National Basketry Organization’s community of makers and appreciators. Help NBO continue our work of educating, inspiring and creating a group of likeminded creative people.

More to Consider 2

NBO is pleased to invite NBO Members and conference attendees to show their work at the NBO’s biennial conference being held on the campus of University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. The exhibition, “More to Consider 2”,… Read More

Welcome to the National Basketry Organization

BEYOND MATERIALS

Artists Pushing the Boundaries of Basketry

NBO Lifetime of Artistic Achievement Awards

NBO’s Lifetime Achievement Awards

Featured Member Gallery

Be Inspired! >>