White Oak Basket Making with Sue Williams

Sue Williams has dedicated herself to the preservation of the famous Cannon County white oak basket making tradition. A master basket maker who was taught the art by legendary basket maker Gertie Youngblood, Sue is the last known teacher of the Cannon County style of white oak basket making in Middle Tennessee. She teaches classes across the state and was part of the Tennessee Arts Commission’s inaugural Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. Her dedication and mastery of basket making earned her the prestigious Governor's Arts Award in 2019.

Join Sue as she takes us through the process of turning a white oak tree into a beautiful basket. She covers everything from selecting and "cutting a pole" to the creation handles, rims, ribs, weavers, and the infamous Cannon County Tie. Plus, she shares tips and tricks passed on to her by Ms. Gertie Youngblood beginning in 1985, including a detailed explanation of turn backs and why she will only use rainwater to soak her white oak, and a detailed explanation of the process of making turn backs.

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