Tradition Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft and Traditional Art    
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Carol Welch
Cherokee, NC
Basketmaker
Traditional Artist


About the Artist

For centuries, Cherokee women have excelled at making baskets from rivercane, white oak, honeysuckle and red maple. Growing up in the Big Cove community of Cherokee, North Carolina, Cherokee basketmaker Carol Welch learned white oak basketry from her mother and single- and double-weave rivercane basketry from Lottie Stampler.

Website

http://www.indiancraftshop.com

Experience the Exhibit

Single Weave Basket, “Stairway to Heaven with Lightning Breaker” Pattern

2007
Rivercane, butternut & walnut dye
13" x 10" x 10"

Photo by Luis Quiles

 
What is mastery to Welch?
Summarized from audio interview:

Carol says that she can tell the difference between a basket made by someone that is just starting out and someone who has been making baskets for a long time. She judges baskets by the tightness of the weave, the evenness of the way the bottom is formed to allow the basket to sit, and the quality of the finish.

 

 
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