Instructor:
JoAnn Kelly Catsos
JoAnn Kelly Catsos is an award-winning traditional black ash splint basketmaker and teacher living in the Catskill Mountains in New York State. Her work is influenced by traditional Shaker and native New England basket styles. The clean forms have remained, but over the course of her 35-year career her baskets have evolved into smaller, more finely woven intricately patterned vessels. To obtain the symmetry she desires, each basket is woven over a wooden form, or mold, that is removed once the weaving is completed. JoAnn’s husband, Steve, harvests the black ash trees near their home, processes the logs into splint, and together they make the wooden molds, handles and rims needed for each basket. JoAnn exhibits nationally and teaches her basketry workshops at art and craft schools, conferences and for private groups. Her baskets have been featured in a number of books and magazines and graced the cover of the Crafts Report magazine in October 2012. She is the recipient of the Certificate of Excellence in Basketmaking: level I from the Handweavers Guild of America. Her baskets are in private and public collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum. www.JoAnnKellyCatsos.com
Workshop Name: Black Ash Basketry
Date: April 8th-14th, 2024
About the Workshop
Basket Options: A member of the Shenandoah CREATES team will contact you after you register to determine your basket selections.
Students will have the unique opportunity to choose their own projects. Weave a quintessential cathead - the Classic Cat - and chase weave (just like the Shakers), become intrigued by the ‘octofoil’ twill in JoAnn’s original Snowflake Bowl, create a Berkshire Back Pack which is the right size for displaying your business cards, or another basket from JoAnn’s website, www.JoAnnKellyCatsos.com. Each basket will be made of precisely prepared black ash splint that is made by JoAnn’s husband, Steve, and woven over a wooden mold to ensure the perfect shape.
Choose at least 3 projects. The maximum number of baskets is up to the student and what they think they can accomplish. Each basket will take between 1-3 days to complete. Please be aware of the suggested weaving level of each project.
Email JoAnn at joannkellycatsos@gmail.com if you have questions about the weaving level or suggested length of a class project
Weaving Skill Level: Intermediate and above
Tools/Supplies for Students to bring: JoAnn provides a tool box for each student. If students have a favorite tool that they want to bring, it should be clearly labeled with their name. Students are encouraged to bring a personal task light if they have one.
Basket Samples:
Black Diamonds
Lampwork Necklace Pouch
Large Quadrafoil Sewing Basket with Boats
Ultimate Shaker Trio
Mini Kittenhead
Mini Country Bread
Lidded Knife
Lidded Knife close-up
see website for more samples
See website for projects & fees, and email JoAnn at joannkellycatsos@gmail.com with questions about the weaving level or suggested length of a class project. Project fees will be payable to the instructor at the workshop. Students should bring cash or check to pay their materials fee. (JoAnn does not accept charge payments.)
5 Day, 6 Nights Workshop Package Includes: 6 nights onsite lodging, private chef prepared meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and 5 days of instruction in a private venue.
Supply fees paid directly to instructor.
Meals and Lodging: $1,100 per person private room, $720 per person shared room
Tuition/Fees: $660
Total Package Price: $1,380-$1,760
Non-refundable deposit of $250 due to hold workshop space. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to workshop start date.
