Join us for a two-day birch bark basket-making workshop with master woodworker Mark Blieske. Participants will come away with an appreciation of the practice of basket-making as both a historical and contemporary usable art, along with their own small finished basket that can be used while out collecting berries or as a storage container.

The workshop begins with an introduction to the Museum’s extensive birch bark craft collection on display in the Museum Galleries and behind-the-scenes, including the large and historically significant Custer Family collection. These works show the economic and cultural vitality of specific regions of Manitoba and illustrate different Indigenous cultural approaches to birch bark as a decorative and practical medium.

Following the tour, participants get hands-on experience covering the basics of basket-making, identification of suitable birch trees, spruce/pine roots splitting and collecting, and discussion of historical, traditional, and contemporary techniques and technology.

Light refreshments, lunch, and all materials are included in the cost of registration.

Participants must attend both workshop days.
Saturday September 21 – 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday September 22 – 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM

For more information please contact Alex Judge at [email protected].

General: $145 + GST / Members: $135 + GST