Overview:
Join Jes Clark from Willow Vale Farm for Oak Spring Garden Foundation’s inaugural basket weaving course. In this two day course, participants will have the opportunity to learn and explore willow basketry in the stake and strand tradition. Willow has been an important plant and material to human society for tens of thousands of years, and even to this day is an inspirational and meaningful material for making. Working with an innately colorful selection of willow varieties, we will create our own unique forms starting with weaving a round base. Participants can expect to learn the fundamentals of willow weaving: weaving techniques such as pairing, waling, randing and woven borders, the anatomy of a basket, as well as concepts of shaping and working with such an interesting natural and strong material. This class is suitable for beginners wanting to learn a base of weaving knowledge or intermediate weavers looking to improve skills and control. Care and use of finished pieces will be discussed in class. As willow is a stronger more tension-y material than many other basketry materials, strong hands are recommended for this course.
Instructor:
Jes Clark (they/them) is the farmer and weaver at Willow Vale Farm in Stanfordville, NY. Jes weaves traditional and contemporary functional pieces and the basket forms created are a result of their conversation with each stick of willow. All of their willow is grown without pesticides using regenerative practices and with loving care.
Jes has been teaching weaving since 2018 and has taught hundreds of students ranging from absolute beginners to experienced weavers looking to refine their craft. They have taught at the Stowe Basketry Festival, for the National Basketry Organization, at the New York Botanical Garden just to name a few, and also privately in one-on-one tutorials. You can discover more of their work at instagram.com/willowvalefarm and www.willowvale.farm.
Eligibility:
This course is open to anyone interested in willow weaving at all levels. Beginners will learn the basics, those with experience can focus on more advanced weaving techniques and shaping options. This course will be capped at 8 participants.
About OSGF:
The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) is an operating foundation based on the former estate of Paul and Rachel ‘Bunny’ Mellon, two of the major U.S. philanthropists of the second half of the twentieth century. OSGF is located in the northern Virginia Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains region (ca. one-hour drive from Washington, D.C.). Led by Sir Peter Crane, the Foundation’s inaugural President, OSGF supports fellowships and residencies for artists and scholars, offers short courses, and engages its multiple audiences, including its local community in practical horticulture, as well as land stewardship for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. OSGF is rapidly becoming a new center of excellence and stimulation for all things botanical, from fundamental research in plant evolution, to horticulture and plant conservation, as well as the history and contemporary practice of plant, garden and landscape art.
Accommodation and Travel Information:
Participants will be accommodated with all meals and private lodging on site at Oak Spring.
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to the Washington, D.C. area. If flying, please book flights to Dulles International Airport. International applicants are welcome, but fluency in English is necessary. Closer to the start date, the Programs team will assist with coordinating travel arrangements to the Oak Spring Garden Foundation site, as necessary.
Dates and Duration:
The on-site portion of the course runs for two and half (2.5) days with participants arriving on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 and leaving on Friday, August 29, 2025. Participants should plan to arrive between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 and depart around 5:00pm on Friday, August 29, 2025.
Course Fee:
$1,100 is all-inclusive and covers full tuition, lodging on-site for two nights in our comfortable suites, and all meals on-site (from dinner on Wednesday through lunch on Friday). A limited number of full or partial Fee Waivers are available for this course.
Selection Process:
Applications will be reviewed by Jes Clark and OSGF staff.
Application Deadline:
Applications are due Monday, May 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.
The Oak Spring Garden Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. Decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other non-merit factor.