Artist Bio

Artist Statement

Ash and sweetgrass basket making has been a craft in my family for generations.  My Great Grandmother, Elvine Obomsawin and her family made their living by making and selling baskets.  I have been privileged to be able to Apprentice under Master Artist, Jeanne Brink for the past 3 years through the Vermont Folklife Center Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program along with my son, Aaron Wood.  Jeanne Brink is also my cousin, and hearing the stories from our Obomsawin family heritage while learning basket making brought my past alive!  When I am making baskets, I feel a deep connection with those who have gone before me.  I am at peace and connected.  My husband helps prepare the ash by harvesting the brown ash trees and with Aaron, pound and split the ash.  With our family working together we create the materials for baskets from the harvest of the tree to the final project.  I look forward to teaching future generations this craft.  It is part of us, and it is critical to ensure it is never lost.  If we lose Abenaki ash basket making, a part of our soul and peoples will be lost.   

Contact

Phone: 802-343-2525 

Email: krwoodvermont@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: etsy.com/shop/AbenakiBasketsbyKRW 

Ash Basket Lid

 Ash and Sweetgrass Basket

Ash Basket Basket

Demonstrations (as an Apprentice with Master Basketmaker Jeanne Brink)

2016

Darthmouth Powwow, Darthmouth College

Native American Program, Darthmouth College

Vermont History Exposition, Tunbridge, VT

2015

Abenaki History Day, Hartford, VT

Darthmouth Powwow, Darthmouth College, NH

Native American Program, Darthmouth College, NH

Saratogo Native American Festival, Saratoga, NY

2014

Darthmouth Powwow, Darthmouth College, NH

Native American Program, Darthmouth College, NH

Vermont History Exposition, Tunbridge, VT

Awards

2015  Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, Vermont Folk Life Center. Middleburry, VT.

2014  Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, Vermont Folk Life Center. Middleburry, VT.

2013  Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, Vermont Folk Life Center. Middleburry, VT.

Affiliations

Vermont Abenaki Artists Association, Juried Artist since 2016