What's On

Basketry: Rescuing, Reviving, Retaining

Contemporary exhibition
12 April 2025 — 28 June 2025

Featuring the work of over 60 of Britain’s most skilled basket makers, Basketry: Rescuing, Reviving, Retaining showcases the beauty and surprising diversity of traditional British basketry.

Step into the gallery and be immersed in the scent of willow, straw and hazel and surrounded by exhibits of all shapes and sizes.

From coracle boats to intricately woven straw crowns to palm-sized coasters – you may be surprised to discover just how expansive the world of basketry is.

There is an extraordinary legacy of basketmaking across Britain. They have been made and used for centuries, to carry, store, transport and to trap and the craftspeople of today are continuing this tradition.

Many traditional British basketry skills are now considered critically endangered by Heritage Crafts, and this new generation of craftspeople are dedicated to keeping them alive and relevant.

Although steeped in history, the objects on display are contemporary and functional, made to be used, enjoyed and admired every day – with many of the exhibited works for sale.

Visitor Information

See this exhibition in the Gallery.

Free Entry.

The Basketry: Rescuing, Reviving, Retaining exhibition forms part of the continued work of the Basketmakers’ Association’s Traditional Basketry Project supported by the The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers and delivered in partnership with Heritage Crafts. The touring exhibition was first shown by and is organised by Ruthin Craft Centre. The exhibition was curated by Gregory Parsons with the Traditional Basketry Project and Heritage Crafts.

Top image shows Angela Cole making her Yorkshire Laundry Basket. Image credit: Rachel Rimell.

Nadine Anderson
Fiona Arnold
Bunty Ball
Ewen Balfour
Terry Bensley (historic)
Rachel Bower
Martin Buckle (historic)
Hilary Burns
Mary Butcher MBE
Selena Chandler
Mandy Coates
Angela Cole
John Cowan
Jenny Crisp
Alisha Davidson
Colette Davies
DJ Davies (historic)
Mark Dellar
Samantha Dennis
François Desplanches
Peter Dibble
Eve Eunson
Rachel Evans
Rosie Farey
Angela Firth
Alison Fitzgerald
Sophie Francis
Rachel Frost
Claire Gaudion
Max Gaudion
Lewis Goldwater
Sally Goymer (historic)
Matilda Grover
Jo Hammond
Ciaran Hogan
Ironbridge Coracle Trust (historic)
Dai James (historic)
Tim Johnson
Gill Jones
Sue Kirk
Rob Knight
Sarah Le Breton
Mary Lewis
Anna Liebmann
Julie Livesey
Lin Lovekin
Veronica Main MBE
Michelle Mateo
Colin Manthorpe (historic)
Sue Morgan
Jane Morgan and Noreen Kemp
Daniel Neal
Lawrence Neal
Déa Neile-Hopton
Niwbwrch Marram Project
Annemarie O’Sullivan
Dominic Parrette
Carol Partridge
Jo Porter
Lewis Prosser
Clare Revera
Clare Shilvock
Lorna Singleton
Leslie Smith
John Williamson
Lois Walpole

Basketmakers’ Association
The Basketmakers’ Association, founded in 1975 is the UK’s leading organisation for basketry and related crafts. Established by graduates of the first City & Guilds Creative Basketry course, it was formed to connect makers, share resources, and promote education.

Over the last 50 years, the Association has grown into a thriving community of basketmakers, chair seaters, fibre artists, and enthusiasts. It supports exhibitions, workshops, and publications, ensuring the craft’s future.

The Basketmakers’ Association’s Traditional Basketry Project, started in 2007 with the recognition that some traditional British basketry techniques were in danger of being lost. Their work responds to recommendations made in the Endangered Baskets Report produced in 2019 with Heritage Crafts.

https://basketmakersassociation.org.uk/

 

Gregory Parsons
Gregory Parsons is an independent curator, with a portfolio career ranging from textile and product design to creative consultancy. He has worked extensively across the arts with institutions including Ruthin Craft Centre – The Centre for the Applied Arts; Crafts Council; Cockpits Arts, London; and The Goldsmiths’ Company, London.

https://www.gregoryparsons.co.uk/

Harley Foundation
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