from the earth: basketry exhibition recap

Kentuck's exhibition From the Earth: Basketry will be on display in both Kentuck's Museum Gallery and Teer Gallery from March 6, 2025 until April 25, 2025. In this exhibition, basket weavers have created items from Kudzu, Wisteria, Mimosa, Oak, Rattan, Cane and many more locally sourced treasures.

Featured Artists:

Will Holley

Will Holley is a river cane basket maker from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He learned the fundamentals of river cane basket construction from several master basket makers, both Native and non-Native. A lawyer by trade, Will tries to use his unique combination of skills to help other traditional users of river cane obtain reliable access to the resource. He also tries to educate the public about the cultural and ecological significance of river cane by demonstrating the river cane basket making tradition at various events throughout Alabama. Will is a citizen of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, an Indian tribe recognized by the State of Alabama pursuant to Ala. Code § 41-9-708.

A: Noon Day Sun Planter Basket, Will Holley, River cane, white oak, hickory bark, black walnut dye, H – 10.75" W – 7" D – 7",

EX-WH-02, $500

B: Utility Basket, Will Holley, River cane, white oak, hickory bark, black walnut dye, H – 7.5" W – 5.25" D – 5.25", EX-WH-01, $100

C: Chief's Daughter Planter Basket, Will Holley, River cane, white oak, hickory bark, black walnut dye, H 6.25" W 6.75" D 6.75",

EX-WH-06, $400

D: Arrowheads Planter Basket, Will Holley, River cane, white oak, hickory bark, black walnut dye, H – 5.75" W – 5.75" D – 5.75",

EX-WH-04, $400

E: Business Card Basket, Will Holley, River cane, white oak, hickory bark, black walnut dye, H – 3.5" W – 4.5" D – 4",

EX-WH-05, $100

F: Snake Planter Basket, Will Holley, River cane, white oak, hickory bark, black walnut dye, H – 9.5" W – 7" D – 7",

EX-WH-03, $600

Andrew McCall

Andrew McCall is a self-taught basket weaver and furniture maker. He says he is following a divine guidance by creating items using methods taught to him by God. Along with his wife, Etta, Andrew McCall has been making his artwork for more than twenty-five years. Their children have all been involved in the business over the years, and Andrew feels that this has been an important part of their family values. Andrew uses all recycled or naturally harvested materials, such as the heart pine lumber comes from old houses that are being torn down and the vines are collected from the woods. He mixes the pine and vines to create unique tables and chairs that are original, no two are alike. Wisteria, grape, and some kudzu vines are twisted together by hand to make baskets and furniture that reflect the McCalls respect for and enjoyment of nature.

A: Large Wisteria Basket, Andrew McCall, Wisteria, 25" x 24" x  22", EX-AMC-05, $160

B: Medium Kudzu Basket, Andrew McCall, kudzu vine, 23" x 22.5" x 18.5", EX-AMC-04, $115

D: Medium Oval Wisteria, Andrew McCall, Wisteria, 27" x19.5" x 16", EX-AMC-01, $85

E: Large Oval Wisteria, Andrew McCall, Wisteria, 28" x 17.5" x 21", EX-AMC-02, $95

SOLD: Small Oval Wisteria Basket, Andrew McCall, Wisteria, 11" x 16" x 18.5", EX-AMC-03, $75

Jill and Mickey Miller

Jill and Mickey Miller have been weaving baskets for over twenty-five years. They have been demonstrating artists at the Kentuck Festival of the Arts, and their baskets are available at Kentuck’s Gallery Shop in downtown Northport, Alabama. The Millers also do chair caning. They are instructing a workshop in June 2025 at Kentuck Art Center. Learn more here.

A: Bushel Basket with Wood Base, Jill and Mickey Miller, Made from reed or vine Rattan and Cane, 16"x 16"x 10.5", EX-MB-01, $150

B: Table Basket, Jill and Mickey Miller, Made from reed or vine Rattan and Cane, 9.5" x 9.5" x 6.5", EX-MB-04, $45

C: Yarn Basket with Wood Base, Jill and Mickey Miller, Made from reed or vine Rattan and Cane, 10" x 10" x 10.5", EX-MB-02, $100

D: Market Basket, Jill and Mickey Miller, Made from reed or vine Rattan and Cane, 26" x 11" x 6", EX-MB-03, $90

Robert Haygens

Robert Haygens is a traditional and contemporary basket maker. Inspired by Southeastern Native American Basketry, he weaves dynamically varied geometric patterns, textures, and colors using natural materials of white oak, rivercane, poplar bark, hickory bark, and bamboo that go gently beyond their utilitarian purpose. His baskets are the product of a special melding of craft, art, and skill rendering beautiful, functional objects with materials and techniques that keep the artist in touch with the land.

A: Checkerboard Swing Handle Purse Basket, Robert Haygens, White Oak & Reed, 11"L x 5"W x 9"H, EX-RH-03, $250

B: White Oak Double Spoke, Robert Haygens, White Oak, 6"D x 7"H, EX-RH-11, $325

C: White Oak Miniature Set of 3, Robert Haygens, White Oak, 2"D x 4"H x 3"W, EX-RH-12, $300

D: Around the World, Robert Haygens, Reed, Natural & Dyed, 9"D x 18"W x 20"H, EX-RH-06, $450

E: Yin & Yang, Robert Haygens, Reed, Natural & Black Dye, 12"W x 20"H x 15"D, EX-RH-02, $425

F: Shifting Winds, Robert Haygens, Reed, Natural & Blue Dye, 6"D x 7"W x 14"H, EX-RH-05, $225

G: Downward Spiral, Robert Haygens, Black Ash, White Oak, Reed, Torquise Dye, 7"D x 9"W x 21"H, EX-RH-07, $375

H: Caged, Robert Haygens, Bamboo, Reed, Poplar Bark, Hickory Bark, 7"D x 8"W x21"H, EX-RH-04, $450

I: White Oak Market Basket, Robert Haygens, White Oak, Walnut & Yellow Root dye, 12"L x 5"W x 10"H, EX-RH-13, $225

J: White Oak Twill Weave, Robert Haygens, White Oak, Natural & Walnut Dye, 8"W x 10"D x 12"H, EX-RH-08, $275

K: White Oak Round Basket, Robert Haygens, White Oak, Walnut & Yellow Root dye, 7"D x 9"H, EX-RH-19, $215

L: Muscadine Rind Footstool, Robert Haygens, Reed, Natural & Black & Red Dye, 12"W x 14"L x 10"H, EX-RH-17, $250

M: Bark Berry Bucket, Robert Haygens, Poplar Bark & Leather, 8"D x 14"H, EX-RH-14, $75

N: Cherokee Star Child's Rocker, Robert Haygens, Reed, Natural & Blue Dye, 22"L x 15"W x 23"H, EX-RH-16, $225

O: Cross on the Hill, Robert Haygens, Reed, Tin Cone Dear Tails, Wood beads, 8"W x 8"H x 12"H, EX-RH-09, $175

P: Footstool, Robert Haygens, Reed, Natural & Blue Dye, 12"W x 14"L x 10"H, EX-RH-18, $185

Q: Rattlesnake Tracks Wall Mat, Robert Haygens, Rivercane, 3' x 2', EX-RH-01, $9000

R: Grumpy Man Bark Bucket, Robert Haygens, Poplar Bark & Leather, 12"D x 12"H, EX-RH-15, $175

S: Wise Owl, Robert Haygens, Poplar Bark, Deer Antler Buttons, beads, 7"W x 6"D x 12"H, EX-RH-10, $180

Cyclone, Robert Haygens, Poplar Bark, Walnut dyed white oak rim, 5.5"D X 15"H x 9"W, EX-RH-20, $225

Sarah Bell

Sarah Bell is an artist, farmer, and educator based in Birmingham, Alabama. Descended from Chinese and American ancestry, she grew up using art and creativity as a way to find a sense of connection to her experiences of death, familial emigration, and home. She has presented work throughout Alabama, including Shelby County Arts Council’s EBSCO Fine Arts Gallery (2023) and regularly teaches workshops at Alabama Folk School, Studio by the Tracks, and Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve.

A: flat reed #3 (with strap), Sarah Bell, flat reed, leather, hardware, 8"x9"x3" (19.5" strap), EX-SB-05, $150

B: flat reed #2 (handles), Sarah Bell, flat reed, wood, leather, 9"x13x4", EX-SB-04, $175

C: round reed #1, Sarah Bell, round reed, 16.5"x16.5"x1", EX-SB-06, $125

D: mimosa bark #2 (with strap), Sarah Bell, mimosa tree bark, leather, hardware, 7"x8"x2.5" (19.5" strap), EX-SB-02, $125

E: mimosa bark #1, Sarah Bell, mimosa tree bark, 7"x10"x6.5", EX-SB-01, $75

F: kudzu #3, Sarah Bell, kudzu vine, 9.5"x9.5"x9.5", EX-SB-09, $175

G: flat reed #1 (forager), Sarah Bell, flat reed, 7"x10"x4", EX-SB-03, $85

H: kudzu #1, Sarah Bell, kudzu vine, 11.5"x7"x8", EX-SB-07, $165

I: kudzu #2, Sarah Bell, kudzu vine, 14"x12"x8", EX-SB-08, $185

From The Earth: Basketry  is on view in Kentuck Art Center’s Museum Gallery until April 25, 2025. Regular Gallery Shop hours are Monday-Friday, 9:30-5:30 and Saturday-Sunday, 12-4. See something you're interested in purchasing? Give us a call at 205-758-1257 or email us at kentuck@kentuck.org. Our staff is happy to help!