The following is another Mr. Basketmaker Speaks. I thought it was good and current to today’s political happenings so I let him hijack my blog… again.
Mr. Basketmaker Speaks: “I can add to the foolishness.”
Anyone feeling like the Government is trying to shut down the Basket makers? For two years now, there has been great anticipation for the “A Measure of the Earth: The Cole-Ware Collection of American Baskets” at the Renwick in D.C.
The Cole-Ware Collection of American Baskets contains sixty-three contemporary traditional American baskets made between 1983 and 2011. It was a great honor to be included in this collection and I, along with my wife, have been looking forward to meeting many basket makers that I hadn’t had a chance to meet over the years.
When the clock reached midnight Monday and there was no deal on a continuing resolution, the government shut down. And that means the Smithsonian and the Renwick are closed. The opening reception is this Thursday night and is now in great jeopardy.
Our plan was to bring Chance to our local home-away-from-home kennel and leave for Washington tomorrow. Our 10-hour plus drive wouldn’t have to be completed until Thursday some time where we would stay with friends and head over to the Reception from there. Then on Friday evening, Martha Ware and Steve Cole had graciously invited all the basket makers over to their home for an open house. So we would have two evenings of talking with old friends and meeting new ones as well, before returning back home. Currently, we have been watching the news and waiting to decide what we should do.
Meanwhile, Martha and Steve informed everyone that they were still going on with the open house regardless and said that people are still welcome to show up at their home. They just wanted to know who may still be coming even if the exhibition doesn’t open this Thursday. Shortly after their message reached people, emails started coming in. I decided to post some of them to show firsthand how this shutdown has affected ordinary basket makers around the country. I have left the names off to keep their privacy.
“Let’s hope cooler heads prevail.” —Anonymous
“I am planning to stay at —- Hotel from Thursday to Sunday. My reservations are prepaid and cannot be refunded. I am planning to be joined by some of my family so I will be in DC whatever happens. Hope to see you all.” —Anonymous
“— kindly sent me the name of this place to stay—. I am happy to call and see what kind of arrangements they might have for us to get together on Thursday…Hard to know whether we would want to make it 7:30 (no opening) or 9 (with opening). If you are interested I need to have a rough number of people likely to show up and willing to share the cost…so please let me know asap. Also time? We just need to party. Thanks” —Anonymous
“Count me in for any party, anywhere! Still have my fingers crossed that reason will re-emerge and Renwick will re-open by Thursday!” —Anonymous
“With apologies to all I have just decided not to go to DC this week. With conference next week, a wedding this weekend and all the other stuff in October, this is just craziness and I am hoping the Renwick will schedule something for the artists when this is all over…I now have vouchers for tickets to and from DC. And I hope someone else will pick up on organizing in DC. I am contacting every reporter I know to see if we can get the basket makers’ story told!” —Anonymous
“We will still be coming as our tickets are not refundable – hoping for good news to develop. We will be staying at friends homes and can be reached at my cell # 319-000-0000. Arriving Wednesday late afternoon. Wherever basket makers gather, life is good!” —Anonymous
“I will be there as well, flying in tomorrow. Hoping, of course, that our government comes to their senses and our opening will happen. We could just meet in front of the Renwick on Friday, and take the opportunity to share some time together. The weather station says warm and partly cloudy. Visit, eat, go out for a drink? If all else fails, we will have the opportunity for time together at Steve and Martha’s on Friday. I look forward to seeing/meeting you all.” —Anonymous
“_____ and I will be driving to DC on Friday. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Steve and Martha’s.” Safe travels. —Anonymous
“I can add to the foolishness. (Anon) and I will be driving in tomorrow evening. There are too many cool people coming to miss the opportunity. I especially like the idea of meeting in front of the Renwick. We can stage a weave-in. —Anonymous
“Steve & Martha: I’m off the fence, see you Friday.” —Anonymous
“As of Tuesday evening we are watching and waiting.” —Anonymous
So we are waiting as well. And checking out the Smithsonian’s website and looking in the left column to see if that terrible red text “…canceled.” is still posted.
Smithsonian Basketry Exhibit Link can be found here.
Sharon,
Thank you for those fighting words. All I can say is that there is a reason for everything. We are leaving for Washington tomorrow and will join everyone else that makes the trip regardless of the shut down.
I am sick that this group of incredibly talented basketmakers are missing their long deserved time in the spotlight. I can only hope things turn around soon and the public gets to delight in this awesome exhibit! Thursday I’ll be drinking a toast in your honor regardless!!
Thanks Sharon! Wish we were drinking with you! We would have a free round! LOL!! Eric and I are still driving to Washington… the Open House at the home of Cole-Ware who made the donation to the Smithsonian for the exhibit, is still a “go” on Friday Night. So we still get to mingle!