Handwork Week 2026 | Fiber Arts, Special Event
Weaving Nature: Seasonal Plants for Basketmaking
Learn about sustainable and respectful materials collection during an intensive exploration of ribbed/frame basketry.
Member$1,305.00 (any noted materials fee included) |
Cancellation, Tuition Assistance, and Other Policies
Meeting Times
- Mon, 4/27/2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Tue, 4/28/2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Wed, 4/29/2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Thur, 4/30/2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Fri, 5/1/2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Mon, 4/27/2026 - Fri, 5/1/2026
Registration does not include lunches or the May 1 Celebration Dinner. Purchase lunch tickets or purchase Celebration Dinner tickets.
Handwork Week is made possible with support from:
Handwork Week at BARN
Join us for an extraordinary exploration of American craft as BARN participates in Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a national initiative led by PBS's Craft in America and the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery.
About This Workshop
Since time immemorial, Pacific Northwest landscapes have provided an abundance of plant fibers valued by Coast Salish Peoples for use in their physical, intellectual, and spiritual lives. A longstanding relationship of reciprocity with plants is woven deeply into Coast Salish cultures and is transferred from one generation to the next through skills that pass on traditional ecological knowledge such as plant-fiber weaving. Important environmental and cultural knowledge is kept alive by basketmakers who embrace these values of gratitude and reciprocity towards the plant communities. This relationship naturally leads to actions of partnership, preservation, restoration, and environmental stewardship.
With native forests, wetlands, and open spaces greatly diminished, where can we sustainably gather plant-fiber materials today? How do we conscientiously prepare, store, and use plant materials as artists and makers? Can we positively impact the landscapes within our reach? How can we find partners as sources of knowledge and materials?
Join plant-fiber artist Melinda West to delve deeply into these questions during an intensive exploration of ribbed/frame basketry. You'll learn how to identify, harvest, mellow, store, prepare, and weave with an assortment of native, introduced, and invasive plant-fibers. Each day, you'll prepare parts for building three types of ribbed/frame baskets. Techniques include ribbed frame construction and shaping; making cordage from leaves and bast-fibers; limb-bending for basket hoops and frames; pulling cedar bark from a freshly cut tree; peeling willow, fig, and red osier dogwood bark; splitting limbs and roots to make weavers; and preparing vines and other materials for weavers.
You'll emerge with beautiful organic baskets and empowered to identify useful plant-fibers for your next creative projects — inspired to gather materials in safe, ethical, and sustainable ways.
Details
- Skill level: All levels are welcome but hand strength is very important. Also, if you're sensitive or allergic to many plants, this might not be the class for you. We want you to be safe and comfortable.
- Wear comfortable work attire with apron, garden gloves, an old towel, pruners, notebook, pencil, and a bucket for your materials.
Materials
The cost of all necessary materials are included in the price of this workshop. Other tools and materials are provided by BARN.
Class Policies
Handwork Week Schedule
This preliminary schedule is subject to change.
Sunday, April 26
- 2 PM: BARN tour for new students and visitors
- 4 PM: Studio-specific orientations (TBD)
Monday, April 27 - Thursday, April 30
- 9 AM - 12 PM: Classes
- 12 PM - 1 PM: Lunch
- 1 - 4 or 5 PM: Classes
- 5 or 6 PM - 10 PM: Open Studios (unstructured work time for Handwork students and community)
- 7 - 9 PM: Community events (TBD)
Friday, May 1
- 9 AM - 12 PM: Classes
- 12 PM - 1 PM: Lunch
- 1 PM - 4 PM: Classes
- 3 PM: Optional item dropoff for Silent Auction participants
- 4 - 6 PM: Studio walkthrough, Silent Auction, drinks and appetizers (open to community)
- 6 - 8 PM: Celebration Dinner (not included in course registration; tickets required).
Handwork Week Dining Options
Class registration does not include catered lunches or tickets to the May 1 Celebration Dinner.
Lunch Options
Join us for lunches catered each day by Fig & Spice! View the menu and purchase lunch tickets here.
If you'd prefer to explore Bainbridge Island during lunch, check out restaurant options.
You are also welcome to bring a packed lunch. BARN's lower level has a refrigerator and microwave for community use.
Dinner Options
Dinners are on your own during Handwork Week. We hope you will join us for our Celebration Dinner on May 1 (purchase tickets here)! During Handwork Week, explore delicious food options a short distance from BARN and across the Agate Pass Bridge in Poulsbo: view restaurant options.
Evening Activities
We're planning community art events during the evenings of Handwork Week. Stay tuned!
Silent Auction
Handwork Week participants are invited to submit work to our Silent Auction, happening Friday, May 1 at 4:30 PM. Proceeds benefit BARN programs. More details coming soon!
BARN Handwork 2026 Policies
- Cancellation Policies for Handwork Classes: We understand schedules can be unpredictable. Because there is a lot of planning for this event, BARN is implementing a special Handwork 2026 cancellation and refund policy.
- Cancellations requested prior to February 13, 2026, will be eligible for a refund of 85% of all class fees.
- Cancellations requested between February 13 and March 13, 2026, will be eligible for a refund of 50% of all class fees.
- Cancellations requested on March 14, 2026, or later will not be eligible for refunds.
- To request a cancellation, click the link in your profile or email registrar@bainbridgebarn.org.
- We strongly encourage out-of-town visitors to make refundable reservations.
- Tuition Assistance is available. We will prioritize Handwork 2026 tuition assistance for local students, who are eligible to apply at any time. Out-of-town applications will be processed after January 1, 2026. Fill out the application before registering.
- BARN is committed to accessibility. We try to make accommodations when requested; the earlier you contact us, the more likely we can help. Fill out the Accommodation Request Form before any class for which you require an accommodation. Email accessibility@bainbridgebarn.org if you have any questions.
- Sensory Statement: Makerspaces like BARN can be noisy and cluttered, smell strongly, and have bright or flickering lights. BARN is not an allergen-free facility. If you have concerns, please email info@bainbridgebarn.org.
Instructors or Guides
Melinda West
Melinda enjoys exploratory art-making with plant fibers and loves sharing the healing qualities of the craft with others. She has taught at the Seattle Art Museum, Olympic College, Coupeville Art Center, North Cascades Institute, Olympic Park Institute, IslandWood, Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, Heronswood Gardens, and elsewhere. Her award-winning art is on display in public and private collections, and her work is featured in books and magazines. Learn more at https://www.melindawest.com.
Handwork Week is made possible with support from:
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