Ottawa Black Ash Bark Container with Interior Designs by Kelly Church (Grand Traverse Band)

For this remarkable container, Kelly Church left the outer bark on the pieces of black ash bark, and then added floral designs to the inner bark on the inside.  It is sewn together with the thin strips of split black ash wood that are also used for weaving baskets. The contrast of the rough bark and the pale, smooth wood adds a nice touch, and the artwork inside is a delightful surprise.

Kelly Church, a fifth generation black ash basket weaver, learned her craft from her father, Bill Church. Holding degrees from the Institute of American Indian Arts and the University of Michigan, Kelly is well known for making traditional baskets, such as sewing baskets and strawberry baskets, as well as for innovative baskets that use materials such as copper or photographs. She is an active advocate for the preservation of the black ash trees that are threatened by the Emerald Ash Borer. 

Kelly and her daughter, Cherish Parrish, harvest their own trees in the swampy areas of Michigan and split the wood into weaving materials using only an axe, a knife, and scissors. This laborious process, that is that is at the core of making a split ash basket, is admired and respected, and one in which they both take great pride.

Height 4 1/2", length 5", width 4"