Our Rivers & Willows 1: Tending to Willows for Weaving

May 8, 10am - 1pm

OFFSITE: Urban Roots

The first course in a multi-part series for new and experienced willow workers (take one course, or sign up for all).

Learn about tending basketry willows from a local farmer and basketweaver, and see what it takes to get willows growing. This course will also provide context for tending wild willows, introduce uses for willow bark, and include demonstrations of stripping bark for peeled willow. We’ll also do a small weaving activity—making tension trays, rattles, and garlic baskets.

This series will provide further regional context for how wild and cultivated willows can be tended, explore questions of ecological restoration in relation to willows, and develop an understanding of willow as a companion in cultural contexts of grief and medicine.

  • Tuition: Tiered Pricing

    • $63 Pay it Forward Rate

    • $32 Standard Rate(ACTUAL COST)

    • $15 Community Rate

  • Materials Fee: none

  • Optional Tools to Bring: Garden clippers that you like!

  • Age / Ability Level: 16+, or 8+ with an adult

  • This session will take place at Urban Roots, where we’ll visit a basketry willow plot, practice stripping willows, and talk about tending wild willows. We will learn simple weaving techniques and practice small willow weaving projects.

    • We will be tromping around farmland! Wear clothing and footwear with muddy May climate in mind. Bring canes or other mobility devices that are helpful for you. This urban farm settings is a mix of paved road and walkways, however, garden beds themselves are not paved, and a fair amount of class time (65%) will be on unpaved ground. Please contact bozena.scheidel at gmail.com for additional accessibility questions or requests!

  • CPC is able to provide refunds up to two weeks before the start date of the class for which the registration was submitted, though we do retain a $20 fee for return payment processing. If you need to cancel your class within the two week window, a refund is not guaranteed, but will be considered based on several factors.

    If CPC needs to cancel a class due to low enrollment, teacher illness, or other factors, you will receive a full refund. Read our full set of policies.

meet your instructor

Bozena Scheidel lives in Minneapolis. She weaves willow baskets and is interested in developing relationships to places where willows grow: floodplains, wetlands, lakeshores, ditches and farms. She is excited about the ways handwork informs practices of care and ecological restoration. She works in construction and plays fiddle. 

Skyler Hawkins is a farmer, basket weaver and bookbinder living in the Twin Cities. They love to make useful objects that can hold the many things that come from the farm, be it fresh harvests in their baskets, or a place for crop observations in their books. They are a big believer in the power of craft to help people to slow down, breathe deep, appreciate the little things and connect with others.