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Hexagonal Black Ash Basket Weaving w/ Zac Fittipaldi

February 10, 2024 @ 10:00 am February 11, 2024 @ 5:00 pm

WP basket

About This Workshop: Hexagonal Black Ash Basket Weaving

Registration for this workshop is now closed.

Practice the ancient art of basket weaving to craft a functional handmade basket for your home using traditionally prepared black ash splints!  Join instructor Zac Fittipaldi in creating a large hexagonal open weave basket from northern black ash tree splints, hand-harvested and prepared by the instructor.  With a flick of the wrist and some mental gymnastics, we’ll weave in three directions to create a basket big and sturdy enough to use every day on your own.  You may even be able to replace your plastic hamper! There will be some room for participants to personalize their basket height and width.

In this workshop we will:

  • Discuss the process and history of preparing black ash for basket weaving
  • Carefully cut our hand-harvested and traditionally prepared black ash splints into about half inch wide pieces
  • Learn hexagonal weaving techniques, used around the world and perfect for a variety of different materials. 
  • Craft a bound rim to hold your basket together 
  • Sit together, tell stories, and build community as we weave!

This class will be held indoors on Saturday and Sunday, Feb 10-11, 2024, from 10 am – 5 pm (both days) near Asheville, NC.

This class is suitable both for experienced weavers and beginners alike! The minimum age is 15 with previous craft experience.

About the Instructor: Zac Fittipaldi

Zac (he/him) hails from Minnesota and began his basketry journey with a year-long apprenticeship in 2008. Since then he has continued to practice many different basketry techniques using a variety of materials from around the world with a focus on traditional European willow, and local northern black ash.

Equitable Pricing Model $290 – $150

* Please click here to learn about your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events, so you only need to do it once!

In order to make our workshops more accessible, we offer two price options for each class, with an additional Equity Discount for qualifying individuals. Please consider these options and select your price at checkout.

  • Sponsor Price $290: For those who have enough to share, thank you for being a Sponsor. This is an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of the class for someone else.
  • Standard Price $220: The Standard reflects one person’s share of what it costs to produce the class and cover basic expenses.
  • Equity Discount $150: We offer an additional Equity Discount for those from the following communities who support reparations and/or an equitable redistribution of wealth and would not have access to this workshop without this discount:

Thank you for helping transform the world into a culture of abundance, resilience, and opportunity for all.

Which Price Option is Right for You?*

*Please check your pricing options before you register for your first Perennial Workshop. The pricing options are the same for all events, so you only need to do it once!

Registration for this workshop is now closed.

Want to support our Equity Fund but not able to upgrade to Sponsor Price? Donate below!

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Lily Harlin

Bookkeeper

Lily is an artist, creator, and dreamer. Since a very young age, she has been immersed in the natural world and draws heavy inspiration from the wild. Though her medium changes frequently, Lily’s art and expression always incorporate an element of the organic and unpredictable. She got her associate in fine arts in 2023, and now volunteers at her school as a ceramic studio monitor. She hopes to open a studio of her own one day to have a place to teach and inspire others. In addition to doing commission work, Lily has been creating many graphics for The Firefly Gathering since 2019. Lily grew up in the Earthskills community from the time she was eight years old, so having the opportunity to grow and give back in so many ways has been incredibly fulfilling. No matter where she ends up, this group of people and ideas will always hold a special place in her heart.