WKU News

Reaching Beyond Tradition invites the public to engage with Southeastern basket makers and tradition-keepers in conversation about the history, importance, and continuing evolution of this regional art form.

Attendees will learn their unique stories and the roles that they play in maintaining traditions, as well as have chances to compare Kentucky’s unique tradition to those found in other parts of the Southeast, making connections that are crucial to understanding the contributions of basket making to Kentucky culture while also connecting us to the broader context of a Southeastern and global art form.

The program will be hosted at the Kentucky Museum on Thursday, August 24, with four sessions run between 1pm and 8pm. Each session will feature a Kentucky Folklife Program narrative stage, with discussions guided by Kentucky Folklife Program Specialist, Camille Acosta, with time for audience questions.

The sessions are:

• 1pm to 2pm - "Tradition-Bearers" - Scott Gilbert, Bill Smith, and Sue Williams will discuss their unique stories of encountering and becoming involved in the art of basket making and their roles in maintaining the traditions of their regions, comparing methods and materials. 
• 2:30pm to 3:30pm - "Inspirations" - Mary Ann Smith and Sue WIlliams will discuss the inspirations behind making their works, evaluating the process of different forms of basket making and how individual and community inspirations play a role in the various styles found in the region.
• 5:30pm to 6:30pm - "Knowledge-Sharing" - Bill and Mary Ann Smith, Sue Williams, and Scott Gilbert will discuss the different roles played by basket makers in their communities, including how knowledge is shared between makers and generations as well as how makers market their works to the public.
• 7pm to 8pm - "Continuity and Evolution" - Emily Swinney and Micah Wiles will discuss the younger generation's engagement with tradition-bearers, their roles in fostering larger community connections and awareness of traditional art forms, and how global communication is connecting and transforming local practices.

All sessions are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Snack breaks will be provided between the 1pm and 2:30pm sessions, and again between the 5:30 and 7pm sessions.

For more information, including speaker bios, please click here.

This program is sponsored by the Kentucky Humanities Council and Kentucky Folklife Program.