Meet the Maker: Miniature Basket Weaving Workshop with Donald Johnston

Join artist-in-resident Donald Johnston (Qagan Tayagungin), featured artist in Native Arts in Miniature, for a hands-on miniature workshop exploring traditional Alaskan Native basket weaving and materials.

Learn basket making techniques and create your own miniature woven basket using leather and yarn! These materials have been selected by Johnston as substitutes for the baleen and ivory he typically uses, which come from federally protected bowhead whales and walruses. As an Alaskan Native, Johnston is permitted to hunt these animals and utilize all materials, including for food and art.

*All workshop supplies will be provided; open to ages 18+ and all skill levels; attendees are responsible for their own lunch offsite.

About the Artist

Donald Johnston (Qagan Tayagungin) is an innovative baleen basket weaver, one of the few such artists working today with this challenging material from the mouths of bowhead whales. Born and raised in Alaska, Johnston’s baleen baskets of varying sizes have been recognized with top awards at major shows like the Heard Museum’s annual Indian Fair + Market and at the Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest and most prestigious art market for Native works in the world.

Image credit: Baleen Basket, 2023, Donald Johnston, Qagun Tayagungin

Schedule

10AM–12noon. Begin creating your miniature woven basket with Donald Johnston.

12noon–1:30PM. Lunch break on your own.

1:30–3:30PM. Workshop continues until 3:30PM.

This project is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund; the Henry Luce Foundation; the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; Shook, Hardy & Bacon; Tepa Companies; Travois; and a generous anonymous donor.