State crafters weave ‘Mountain memories’ at Corbin convention

With concentration and steadiness, Lorene Bowling sat in her metal rung chair, carefully placing each black walnut spoke into the outer wall of her embellished art.
She twisted the paper-thin maple curls in three directions between her spokes before once again repeating the same steady routine she had followed for the past six hours.
Only three more hours to go.
This was the sight of not one, but over 100 basket weavers this past week at the Kentucky Basket Association’s 10th annual convention “Coming to the Cumberlands, Making Mountain Memories” held at the Corbin Civic Center.
From the days of agrarian farmers and pioneers in Appalachia, basket making has been perpetuated as a tradition through family networks around Kentucky.
“Basketry has always been part of Kentucky’s rich heritage,” said former KBA president Vicky Brown. “We hope [people] will find something here to help pursue that interest further, delve into it deeper, learn and grow with it.”
Established in 1995, the KBA was formed to aid in emphasizing the art of basketry, while educating members on its “historic value” and promoting the interest in local Kentucky communities. Today, the association has grown to over 220 members representing over 10 different local guilds.
Sisters Lorene Bowling and Lucille Smith of Williamsburg, KY are two of the 26 local members of the organization who learned their skill from classes taught at Eastern Kentucky University’s new business and technology center. Bowling attended classes for senior citizens over the age of 65 after reading it in her local newspaper. She later influenced her sister to attend and apply for membership.
“I told my sister about it. She called a week before her birthday asking, ‘I’ll be 65 next week can I come?’ but I told her she had to wait,” laughed Bowling. “We love it.”
Although a Kentucky association, the KBA also accepts membership from out-of-state, as far as New Hampshire, West Virginia, Florida, and South Carolina. Membership dues for the KBA is $15, including four newsletters and entry into conventions and seminars. Molly Madison, an out-of-state KBA member, traveled her share of miles to attend this year’s convention.
“I’m from West Lafayette, Indiana. It’s about a six and half hour drive,” said Madison. “But it’s worth it.”
Each month classes are held statewide in individual extension offices of the KBA. The association recommends beginner weavers to attend a local session in these offices in small group settings.
“Almost always people start at a local area because it’s intimidating to come to a convention like this. Almost every weaver here started in their home extension office or had influence from a friend,” said Tate.
Often deemed as a craft for women and senior citizens, the KBA encourages children and men to attend classes.
“What you will see here many times is a mother and her daughter or sisters,” said KBA president Wilma Tate. “Today there’s a little girl over there making a basket right beside her mother, and cant be more than 9 years old. We love that.”
Member and charter member of the McCreary County Basket Guild, Letha Taylor, emphasizes the importance of the youth in the association. “”It’s hard trying to keep [basketry] alive,” said Taylor. “We need young people to help carry this on.”

Above all, the association stresses the ease of learning and sense of accomplishment after completing the art that makes it worthwhile.
“It’s not a talent,” said Tate. “Although there are talented basket weavers, everyone starts as a beginner. It’s a learned skill. ”
Toadvine agrees.
“Anybody that wants to weave a basket can weave a basket. It’s not a craft where you need a special skill,” she said. “You can go to a class and walk out with a finished product.”
Despite your speed or skill level, “we are basket weavers of all ages, from all walks of life,” stated Brown.”[We’re just] meeting on a common artistic ground.”
(Corbin and the surrounding tri-county area’s active office is the McCreary County Basket Guild, which meets monthly at the McCreary Co. Somerset Community College extension. To contact the guild and find class times, call the Kentucky Basket Association at 859-224-7061 or visit their website at www.thekentuckybasketassociation.org.)