Often passed down from one generation to the next, Indigenous basketry techniques reflect deep cultural knowledge and regional identity. Traditionally made using natural materials gathered from a tribe’s surroundings, baskets are geographically rooted. Depending on material, artists may coil, plait, or twine to create the basket structure. In addition to serving utilitarian purposes such as storage and transport, they also metaphorically hold spiritual and cultural significance for the communities that create them. Today, Native artists simultaneously draw on traditional practices and expand the boundaries of what an Indigenous basket is.
RAM Showcase: Indigenous Baskets presents a selection of Native American and First Nations baskets from across North America, including a piece by Wisconsin-based artist Liandra Skenandore. Spanning from the twentieth century to the present, some included works exemplify traditional materials and techniques, while others incorporate unconventional materials or innovative approaches.
Platinum Partners—Anonymous, The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd, Ron and Judith Isaacs, Racine Community Foundation, The Estate of Marilyn Rothschild, Windgate Foundation; Diamond Partners—David Charak, Ruffo Family Foundation, Ruth Arts Foundation, Travel Wisconsin, Diane Zebell; Gold Partners—Judith and David Flegel Fund, Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation, Reliance Controls Community Fund, W.T. Walker Group, Inc.; Silver Partners—Anonymous, Anonymous, Bader Philanthropies, Baird, A.C. Buhler Family, Dave’s Wine Garage, Paula and E.L. Donovitz Memorial Endowment Fund, Ben and Dawn Flegel, Tom Harty, Horizon Retail Construction, Inc., Johnson Financial Group, Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund, Luanne Frey and Mark Lukow, Sheri and Frank Sullivan, Visit Racine County, We Energies Foundation, Wisconsin Arts Board; Bronze Partners—Sandy and Gus Antonneau, Carol Baylon, Susan Boland, Rose and Peter Christensen, Educators Credit Union, Julia Ann Oas and Don Gloo, Carol Griseto, Hitters Baseball, Debbie and Chuck Hoffman, Susan and Dan Horton, Gary Van Wert and Ronald Jacquart, SC Johnson, Paula Kalke, Bill and Debbie Keland, Nancy Kurten, Susan Manalli, Norbell Foundation, O&H Danish Bakery, Rita Petretti, Rasmussen Diamonds, Harold and Lois Solberg, E.C. Styberg Foundation, Twin Disc, Marc J. Wollman, Amy and Robb Woulfe; Media Sponsor—Radio Milwaukee
