Gathering…bringing or coming together; harvesting or collecting; growing or increasing by degrees; concluding; inferring and understanding. All these definitions captured the last full week of October when 22 willow basketmakers and enthusiasts from across the US and Canada attended the 2024 Willow Gathering held in the Sievers studios.
Harvesting the willow patch, taking time to work on projects, experimenting with new techniques and, simply and best, coming together with others who understand and share the same interests. Strengthing and growing the willow community is part of the Willow Gathering’s purpose.
Many hands make light work! The entire patch was harvested and sorting began in just over an hour! Then, time to put the materials (harvested or brought) to use.
The Willow Gathering concluded our season, as the buildings are now at rest for the winter and spring. As a recap of this year, we had 344 students (an increase from last year). Over 78% were students who had taken classes here before and 73 were new to Sievers. Those new students came from these states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, ID, IL, ME, MI, MN, OH, TX, VA and WI. Our long-distance (returning) student came from Florence, Italy. Ciao!
The average class size was close to 10 students each and there were 89 people on waiting lists. Of our 35 classes, 22 were filled with maximum enrollment. Three Sievers Scholarships were awarded in 2024 to new students registered for classes in basketry/furnishings and spinning/dyeing.
We both ended and started our season on a high note, ending with the Willow Gathering and starting with the Open Quilt Studio and Learn to Knit and Crochet class with Shawn Simmons. Four of the students in Shawn’s class came for a Sievers experience, and as a plus, wrote a feature article for the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association’s monthly print (and online) magazine. The article on their time at Sievers was published in the November issue, (which also includes an interview with weaving instructor Susan Frame, a member of the Riverland Energy Cooperative and whose husband is a Riverland board member). Follow this link to the article, as well as an extra published only on the WECN website.
(Photo from the WECN “Our Weekend at Sievers” online exclusive.)
Although this post looks back at 2024, we’re also looking ahead to 2025, our 47th season of classes, which will add another chapter to the Sievers story. From a letter dated September of 1979, after the first season of classes, Walter Schutz wrote, “I do think, as I said before (we’re) on the threshold of a very nice operation here…”.
Congratulations one and all! Walter Schutz was right when he said that Siever’s is a very nice operation. What a wonderful year full of creativity ….including new willow baskets and new friendships. Just think of all of the people who are looking forward to being at Siever’s in 2025!
Thank you, and how nicely said! We’ll be working on our 2025 schedule later this month and will hope to have it set by the end of the year. We’re excited to welcome back returning students and meet those new to Sievers!
As I traverse the back roads of Madison I have noticed prime areas of willow growth. I have fond memories of basket makers harvesting the patches of willow around Sievers and the island. Too bad these patches aren’t closer!
Hi Ann, Willow, in many varieties, grows all over and the patches formerly used by Sievers students on the Island are still there, but have really overgrown. The willow patch behind the Walter Studio is a real favorite of basketmakers, as the varieties (planned and planted years ago) are perfect for use in basketmaking. It’s not “branchy”, it’s pliable, and the thin withes allow for fine work. The beauty and fragrance of willow, wherever it is, makes it a favorite for us!
I just read the article in the company newsletter! The writer was accurate in everything she had to say about Sievers! Such wonderful skills and fun the 4 friends had learning to knit!
Thanks, Janet! It was an outstanding article. They really captured the essence of being in a Sievers class. We’ve already had some inquiries from readers…an added plus! Be well, Carolyn