Willow artist opens workshops to the public

NORWICH – Bonnie Gale, local willow basketmaker/artist for the past 23 years, invites you to attend two Community Willow and Open House Days on Saturday, Oct. 7 and 14 from 12:30 - 5:30 p.m.

 The aim of these two community days is to provide the community with an opportunity to receive an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the work of this local artist through interactive tours and demonstrations as well as the opportunity for hands-on experiences. Participants will be able to view the creative process first hand and see the willow from growing in a bed to the final basket and living willow installations. Tours and demonstrations and hands-on workshops will occur in the Norwich area. Last year, Gale held a very successful Willow Day and this year, it is being expanded into two Saturday afternoons in October.

 The first community day, Oct. 7, will start with a tour of a local willow bed where basket willow is growing. There will be a discussion of planting and care of the bed and participants will have an opportunity to cut willow. This tour will be followed by a tour and demonstration at Gale’s studio. Afterwards, participants will have the opportunity to make the Danish Fruit basket with the fresh willow cut earlier.

 The second community day, Oct. 14, will commence with tours of living willow structures built in the area. Participants will then have the opportunity to build a living willow fedge (fence/hedge). There will be a discussion of soil, varieties and maintenance. This second day will conclude with a discussion by Bonnie Gale of the economics and marketing of being a self-employed artist.