Pam Cunningham, Penobscot, will lead this FREE workshop for kids.  Bookmarkers are the first step a new weaver learns when learning the process of weaving an ash and sweet grass fancy basket.  Participants will learn to spiral colored ash to make a basket base, and then weave braided sweet grass around the center to hold the ash splints together.  Participants will leave with a beautiful bookmaker to keep or give as a gift. 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult. To participate, please

pre-register with Raney Bench at 288-3519.

Limited Space Available.

This FREE hands on art workshop will explore many different patterns represented in nature. Children will have a chance to work with natural patterns and create their own patterns and works of art. Ages 8 and up please. To participate, please pre-register with Raney Bench at 288-3519.

Limited Space Available.

Penobscot artist S.C. Francis will teach participants how to make a natural dream catcher from materials such as willow and sinew.  Dream catchers have become a popular form of Native American art, accessible to all people.  Learn how to weave the intricate web that makes up the center of the dream catcher, and add your own personal touches.  Children ages 7 and up are welcome, with a parent.

Award wining basket maker, Molly Neptune Parker, Passamaquoddy, will return to the Abbe Museum to lead a two-day workshop on making an ash and sweet grass basket from start to finish.  Day one will involve processing the materials needed to weave this basket, including braiding sweet grass, starting your basket, and learning about the ways in which ash is harvested, processed, splinted, and dyed.  The second day, participants will complete the basket they started on day one, adding colorful curls and a lid.  Molly’s baskets have won national acclaim, including first prize at Arizona’s Heard Museum’s annual Native American festival for one of her colorful sewing baskets.  Participants can choose to come for one or both days. 

Eric “Otter” Bacon, Passamaquoddy will teach participants how to start and make an ash and sweet grass fancy basket. Day one will involve starting the basket, including braiding sweet grass and learning about the ways in which ash is harvested, processed, splinted, and dyed.  The second day, participants will complete their basket, make a lid and add decorative features.

Join master basket weaver, Pam “outdusis” Cunningham, Penobscot, and learn to make a full moon prayer basket, sweet grass prayer braid and sweet grass smudger.  The basket is a small round open top basket constructed of sweet grass and ash.

Jewelry and fancy basket artist, Gal Frey, Passamaquoddy, will teach you how to make beaded rosette earrings using porcupine quills, beads and fringe.  Participants will learn to use the overlay stitch to create their very own earrings.  Participants need good vision to complete this intricate bead design.

Make a birch bark basket with Barry Dana, Penobscot.  Barry will provide the materials needed to make a birch bark basket traditionally used for food storage.  Participants will be able to etch their own art designs and sew the basket with spruce roots using the oldest traditional form of basketry for the Penobscot people.

Passamaquoddy birch bark artists and canoe maker David Moses Bridges will help workshop participants to create their very own birch bark picture frame. The frames will be etched with your own design or with traditional designs provided by David and bound together using traditional spruce root.

Join internationally renowned Passamaquoddy birch bark artist and canoe maker David Moses Bridges for a fun-filled morning of storytelling and creativity. Children will use traditional stencils to etch birch bark to make into necklaces, magnets or pins while being entertained by Passamaquoddy stories.