Makers Making | Maria Bullock basketry at Island Bounty, Fri. Sept 30

||| FROM MARCY MONTGOMERY for SAN JUAN MAKERS GUILD |||

Basketry is a sculptural art form on display at the upcoming Island Bounty event at the Orcas Center. Maria Bullock is a true agricultural maker and has developed a collection of multi-colored willows that she grows, harvest, prepares and turns into a beautiful collection of baskets each year. Every aspect of her baskets is island grown and made with natural materials and time-honored processes. Born and raised in Poland, Maria was accustomed to willow market and storage baskets as a regular part of daily life and her work takes inspiration from traditional styles while also innovating patterns and forms of her own design. In addition to willow, Maria also grows, harvests and makes bull rush products including popular hats. 

This last year, invitations from around the region have seen Maria out teaching and sharing her knowledge in small group settings, perpetuating this ancient art form that spans many generations, connecting basket makers across cultures in the handmade process of weaving beautiful, functional sculptural forms. During the winter, as the willows have lost their leaves and their colors are best revealed, Maria harvests and makes baskets that sell-out at local holiday fairs. The work continues year-round as a sought-after purchase during the Orcas Studio Tours and Island Bounty is pleased to share her work at the Orcas Center this fall. 

As a key member of the world-renowned Bullocks Permaculture Homestead, Maria creates a vegetable and greens garden surrounding fruit laden trees and her studio over looks this garden that borders the freshwater ponds that the Bullocks have restored as an important ecological system. Using a canoe, she paddles the ponds to tend her basketry plants. Throughout the garden, willow forms edge the pathways and create supports for food and flower vines. 

For Island Bounty, Maria will be demonstrating basket making and invites viewers to see and touch the materials that are devotedly prepared for each and every basket. On display will be baskets for sale. 

Learn more about Maria’s work and company on the Makers Guild Web Site at https://sanjuanmakersguild.com/listing/swamp-sticks-basketry/ 

Island Bounty opens with a pop-up dinner and party on Friday, September 30, at the Orcas Center, 4-7 p.m. This free event is a launch for the annual Farm Tours on Orcas, Oct 1-2. The Island Bounty exhibit runs through November 15 and features over 40 artists and artisans of art, crafts and food that use island ingredients or are inspired by our agricultural landscapes. 

Island Bounty information is online at https://sanjuanmakersguild.com/island-bounty-exhibit-and-dinner/ and the optional pop-up dinner can be ordered at https://islandbounty.eventbrite.com .