Annual Maine Indian Basketmakers Sale and Demonstration Dec. 15
Contact: Gretchen Faulkner, (207) 581-1904; George Manlove, (207) 581-3756
ORONO — The University of Maine’s Hudson Museum is holding its annual day-long Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance Sale and Demonstration on Saturday, Dec. 15, offering the public a rare opportunity to learn first-hand about Maine Indian culture, traditions and artforms.
The event is scheduled 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at UMaine’s newest building, the Student Recreation and Fitness Center on Hilltop Road, in the northeast corner of the Orono campus. It is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The annual event is one of three annual shows where Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot artists from Maine showcase and sell their work. It also is one of the largest Native American gatherings of this sort in Maine. Consumers and basket collectors typically come from throughout New England and across the country for the annual basket and crafts sale.
The event features one of a kind, ash splint and sweet grass basketry ranging from rugged creels, pack and potato work baskets to strawberry- and blueberry-shaped fancy baskets and curly bowls. Authentic porcupine quill jewelry, wood carvings, birch bark work and other art will be available.
Throughout the day, attendees will see how a brown ash log is transformed into a basket, how root clubs and walking sticks are made, as well as listen to traditional music and storytelling.
Traditional foods prepared by members of the Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club include hull corn soup, fry bread and blueberry desserts, and will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the Burnurwurbskek Singers will drum and sing, and dancers will present a wide range of traditional dances.
Though the event is free after 10 a.m., early bird shopping is available from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for a $10 fee; tickets may be purchased at the door.
The opening welcome features a traditional song of greeting sung by Kelly Demmons, greetings from the Penobscot Chief Kirk Francis, the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance and the University of Maine. Passamaquoddy and Penobscot authors Allan Sockabasin (“An Upriver Passamaquoddy”) and Charles Shay (“Florence Nicolar Shay: Penobscot Basketmaker and Tribal Advocate” and “Princess Watahwaso: Bright Star of the Penobscot”) will have their books available for sale and signing until 11:30 a.m. Kelly Demmons will sing Penobscot songs and John Bear Mitchell of UMaine’s Wabanaki Center will tell traditional stories.
The Hudson Museum Friends will raffle off a brown ash Katahdin Butterfly basket made by renowned basketmaker Fred Tomah, Maliseet, according to Gretchen Faulkner, museum director. Raffle tickets are $5 each and are available at the MCA Box Office in the Class of 1944 Hall, the Wabanaki Arts Center Gallery in Old Town and at the event.
More information can be obtained by calling the Hudson Museum at 581-1901.