Baskets by Eric Stark

CFA 012-1-S24 | Coiled Basketry: Functional + Sculptural

Course Overview:

This design course will introduce you to the tools and techniques of coiled basketry using sweetgrass and waxed linen thread. Students will begin by exploring basic coiling techniques through specific assignments. These learned skills will then be applied to two projects. The first is a functional flat bowl where students will design the form and select colors of thread as design elements. The second will ask students to explore sculptural form, putting all learned techniques into practice. In each project, students will be asked to work through a design process of sketching and iteration based on three materials: sweetgrass, waxed linen thread, and artificial sinew. 

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the tools + techniques involved in coiled basketry
• Create 2 projects, a functional flat bowl, and a sculptural form

Who is this course for?

No previous basketry experience is necessary, although some experience with sewing can be helpful. Some hand strength is required.

6/10-6/14 (intensive) 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday

Tuition: $325 + $150 studio fee

CEUs: 3.5

522 Congress Street Room 509

Faculty:

Originally from California, Eric Stark is a teacher, architect, and maker who began his architecture career in Boston. Upon moving to Maine in 2005, he joined the faculty at the University of Maine at Augusta, where he has served as Chair of UMA’s Architecture program for the past 10+ years. In this role, he led the creation of UMA’s Bachelor of Architecture degree program, the only professionally accredited architecture degree in Maine. His primary teaching responsibilities are in the design studio, where he is focused on design process, design with intention, and community partnering. An avid maker, it was a year long academic sabbatical designed to explore analog and digital ways of making that ignited his love for basketry. As part of his ongoing investigations, he has traveled to Washington, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Vermont, and Loch Na Fooey, Ireland to study basket weaving with masters of the craft. He continues to explore various weaving techniques and materials, and has had his work included in a number of group and solo exhibits. His recent work involves coiling sweetgrass with waxed linen thread, attached to stones found on the Maine coast. 

Supplies:

• Small pair of 4 “ scissors
• Fid – An awl-like tool for making spaces in weaving
• Flat Packing Tool – for adjusBng weaving
• Needle nose pliers
• Water Spray Bo^le
• Dish basin or 5 gallon bucket (fairly clean) for soaking materials
• 1-2 Dish Towels