ᏔᎷᏥ ᏕᎬᏍᎬ ᎣᎩᎲᎢ Weaving our Heritage: Cherokee Baskets

July 18, 2026 - February 13, 2026 | Schaefer Gallery

Eva Wolfe, Indian Arts and Crafts Board photograph. Eva Wolfe (1922-2004) was an accomplished basket maker whose specialty was rivercane baskets, an iconic and ancient art form of the Eastern Band of Cherokee people. This photograph was made by Indian Arts and Crafts Board to accompany an exhibition of her work in 1969.

Basket weaving is one of the oldest forms of material culture, dating back thousands of years. It’s practice among indigenous people sustainably uses—and honors—the natural materials that make up their environment. Cherokee baskets are made of rivercane, white oak, maple, or honeysuckle and are dyed with local plant materials. Today’s Eastern Band of Cherokee people live in western North Carolina and continue to maintain their time-honored traditions, while expanding their artistic voice to include contemporary adaptations.

Artists on Exhibition:

Gabe Crowe, Louise Goings, Lauren Goings, Ramona Lossie, Lucille Lossiah, Betty Maney, Emma Taylor, Mary Thompson, Sarah Thompson, Dewi Thompson, Geraldine Walkingstick, Agnes Welch, Carol Welch, Eva Wolfe (pictured).

About the Curator:

Anna Fariello, an independent curator with Curatorial InSight, has organized over forty exhibitions on art and cultural history. She has written numerous articles and four books on Cherokee arts and culture.

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