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Member Tours: The Art and Practice of Native Basket Weaving with Featured Basketmaker, Jennifer Bates

Member Tours: The Art and Practice of Native Basket Weaving with Featured Basketmaker, Jennifer Bates

November 9 from 12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Free for Members

Join us for a tour of the art and practice of Native basketry with Jennifer Bates. Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk) has been a basketmaker for over four decades.  She began learning traditional Mewuk basketry by studying with tribal elders as a child and continues to teach basketry from traditional methods of gathering and processing raw materials into her weaving.

Bates will lead a tour of the basket techniques and images showcased in OMCA’s special exhibition Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California, in which her work and images are featured. Bates will also draw connections to the extensive basket collection showcased in OMCA’s Gallery of California History. OMCA is pleased to welcome Bates for this cannot-miss special offering!

Facilitator Bio

Jennifer Bates (Northern Sierra Mewuk) has been a basketmaker for over four decades. When she was seventeen, she began learning traditional Mewuk basketry by studying with family members and tribal elders. Jennifer was a founding board member of the California Indian Basketweavers’ Association (CIBA), of which she was also chairperson for the first thirteen years. She resides on the Tuolumne Rancheria, where she continues to teach basketry, from traditional methods of gathering and processing raw materials to weaving techniques. Her images and baskets are featured in the exhibition Born of the Bear Dance.

Dugan Aguilar Jennifer Bates, Oakland Big Time, 1996, Oakland Museum of California, gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Dugan Aguilar Jennifer Bates, Oakland Big Time, 1996, Oakland Museum of California, gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar

Accessibility

Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is committed to providing programs that are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of our community. Wheelchairs, sensory inclusive devices, and additional amenities are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis at the Ticketing Desk. To request other accommodations, like American Sign Language (ASL), Cantonese, Spanish or another language interpreter, please email [email protected] at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.