Three of my antler baskets were submitted for an exhibit called, “Celebration of Basketry Teachers and Their Classes” at the Phillip Dickel Basket Museum and Gallery in the Amana Colonies in West Amana, Iowa. The exhibit will be open from May 24 to October 5, 2009.
Each year since 2005, Joanna Schanz and her crew at the Broom & Basket Shop have an exhibit at the basket museum to celebrate basketry. My baskets were also in the 2007 exhibit, “Baskets of Yesterday and Today: Baskets from Iowa Basket Weavers Guild.” And this year, I was invited by Joanna to submit an example of my personal style work and two samples of basket classes I teach.
Since each and every one of my antler baskets is unique and one-of-a-kind, it was difficult for me to choose the one to send to represent my work. But I decided on a personal favorite that I have in my private collection made in 2004 called, “Whitetail Flame” Antler Basket Sculpture.
For the two class representations, I chose two of my very early baskets 
that are still as popular today as they were when they debuted in the 1990’s, “Ebony & Ivory” Antler Melon Basket and “Smoked Reed, God’s Eye Antler” Melon Basket. Each has its own challenges for the students, and are not easy, beginner level baskets to complete in the 8-hour time limitations of class!
If you are traveling this summer, be sure to make the Phillip Dickel Basket Museum and Gallery and the Broom and Basket Shop in West Amana, Iowa your destination. Catch this fantastic array of baskets in the exhibit, “Celebration of Basketry Teachers and Their Classes.”
