Double Wall Basket Weaving Workshop

This workshop offers more than a class—it is a hands-on cultural experience rooted in patience, precision, and ancestral knowledge.
Learn the fundamentals of Cherokee double-wall basket construction, a technique known for its strength, balance, and visual depth. This style creates two walls woven simultaneously, resulting in a seamless, durable basket that holds both function and story. Each kit thoughtfully includes pre-soaked and hand-dyed reed, core weaving materials, and guidance through every step of the process. You’ll learn proper starts, shaping, tension control, and how the inner and outer walls work together as one structure.
Designed to be accessible for beginners and deeply satisfying for experienced weavers, this workshop emphasizes respect for materials, intentional making, and the rhythm of the hands. With proper supervision, older children and teens may participate, making this an excellent intergenerational learning experience.
*PLEASE NOTE:

Two sessions available:
• 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
• 2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Cost:
• Ohio History Connection Members: $130
• Nonmembers: $140
Spots are limited—reserve yours today!
At this workshop:
• Learn an authentic Cherokee double-wall weaving technique
• Encourages mindfulness, focus, and problem-solving
• A meaningful alternative to mass-produced crafts
• Each basket is completely one-of-a-kind
• Ideal for cultural education, art practice, and heirloom making
Whether you’re reconnecting with tradition, learning a new skill, or creating something meant to last, this workshop is an invitation to slow down, weave with intention, and carry knowledge forward—one row at a time.
This workshop is led by Renata Cauthon, a Cherokee artist and enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and one of the few IACB-listed Cherokee artists in Ohio.
Beginning her professional art career in 2023, Renata has participated in several exhibitions across the country, including juried art shows. Her work is featured in her tribe’s official gift shop as well as several museum shops, blending traditional Cherokee design with contemporary storytelling to explore identity, resilience, and cultural continuity.
The 2025 Reach Indigenous Advocacy Indigenous Advocate of the Year has worked tirelessly to provide access to Cherokee culture in Ohio through partnerships like her work with Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve — part of the UNESCO-listed Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. Since 2024, Renata has led hands-on workshops at Fort Ancient, giving visitors the opportunity to experience Cherokee traditions as living, evolving practices. She is honored to share Cherokee cultural knowledge, inspire understanding of Ohio’s Indigenous history, and invite visitors to explore and engage with her art.