Join us at Sorrel Sky Gallery for an intimate horsehair basket weaving workshop with Jane Chavez.

Jane's interest and passion for basket weaving reaches back into her childhood when her father accepted an overseas position in Argentina. One of her favorite memories is meeting the local peddler who had a horse drawn wagon loaded with baskets. Over time, Jane diligently saved her pennies to purchase one of these baskets, of which she still has; but she also loved the peddler’s horse, an affinity that would be carried throughout her life. In 1990, Jane began delving into the world of weaving and basketry by first working with pine needles, entirely self taught. She later turned to horsehair after a moment of inspiration while brushing her own horse’s tail. The longer strands afforded her with even more opportunities for creativity. Soon her full attention was turned to creating beautiful horsehair baskets. To each, she adds a hand-stamped silver plate (at times copper or gold) to protect the integrity of each piece associated with her name.

“The uniqueness of my fiber art developed from my passions for baskets, horses and Spanish metal work. My adoration for baskets was cultivated at childhood when on Saturday mornings in Argentina I would wait with excitement for a horse drawn basket cart to pass in front of our house. As it approached I would run out of the house and admire the utilitarian baskets piled high on the cart. My enthusiasm for horses has always been with me ever since I can remember and I have always had them in my life. Since living in the southwest I have become intrigued by early silver and tinwork done by the Spaniards. My art reveals a personal interpretation of these multicultural interests and my environment.

My horsehair hand stamped sterling silver baskets are contemporary in nature and traditional in materials. I use a coiled basketry technique with creative designs and imaginative sterling silver metal work. The basket’s shapes vary depending on the original hand stamped sterling silver, which serve as a base for the horsehair bundles.”

For over 20 years she has been using her basketry to tell unique stories and preserve a historic art form. This workshop will provide insight into the foundation of basket weaving, as well as its intricate nature. This class is designed for beginners to intermediate.