Bill and Mary have recently retired after many years as the resident basketmakers at Tannehill Historical State Park in McCalla, Al. They learned to make split oak baskets from the late Jesse Thomason of Blount County, Al. Bill and Mary were awarded a grant from the State Council on the Arts for two years to study under Mr. Thomason. Now, master artists themselves, they spend their time teaching and demonstrating at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina and The Alabama Folk School in Nauvoo, Al. They are members of the North Carolina Basketmakers Association, The Georgia Basketry Association and the Natural Fibers Group. They also host an annual gathering of split oak basketmakers at their home studio.
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