Washo basket weaving presentation July 22

Staff Reports

Master Native American artist Sue Coleman presents "Washo Basket Weaving and Culture: a Family Tradition," 7 p.m. July 22, at the Nevada State Museum., 600 N. Carson St., Carson City.

Coleman shares anecdotes and stories of life on the Dresslerville Reservation, and the art of basket weaving for which she is known. She will bring examples of her award-winning baskets and some from her family, plus the raw materials and tools used in her artistic creations.

Coleman was born at the Indian Hospital in Schurz, Nevada, and raised on the reservation in Dresslerville.

"Until I went to high school in Coleville, Calif., I never knew anything beyond life on the reservation," she said. "My generation is the last one to camp and fish, gather pinenuts in the fall, and attend ceremonies on a regular basis. It was so much fun. I had this wonderful family and we took care of each other."

Coleman is the daughter of Theresa Smokey Jackson, one of best known Washo basket weavers since Datsolalee. She served as guest curator for the Great Basin portion of "The Art of Native American Basketry" exhibit at the Museum of the American West, Autry National Center.

Coleman recently presented at the Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival in Genoa, Storycorps in Reno, and was keynote speaker for "Containers of Our Culture: Contemporary Interpretations of the Traditional Gourd & Basketry Arts" at Arts Visalia in California.

Coleman's presentation is part of the museum's Frances Humphrey lecture series, and complements Interwoven 2010: Visions of the Great Basin Basketmakers on display at the Nevada State Museum until July 24 and What Continues the Dream: Contemporary Arts and Crafts in the Powwow Tradition on display until Aug. 7.

The presentation is provided in partnership with the Folklife Program of the Nevada Arts Council with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Regular admission fees apply. Doors open at 6 p.m. for exhibit viewing. Information, Deborah Stevenson, 775/687-4810, ext. 237.

The Nevada State Museum actively engages people in understanding and celebrating Nevada's natural and cultural heritage. Exhibits highlight the state's history, geology, plants and animals, Native American cultural heritage, historic Carson City Mint, a replica walk-through mine, and ghost town.

Current changing exhibits include "Slot Machines: The Fey Collection," and "What Continues the Dream: Contemporary Arts and Crafts in the Powwow Tradition."

The museum is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Wednesday - Saturday. Enter through the Dema Guinn Concourse. Admission is $8 for adults and free for children 17 and under and museum members. Information, (775) 687-4810.