We here at the Kentucky Folklife Program are excited to share a few of our recent exciting projects, some bittersweet news, and a bright outlook on what is to come. Thank you for supporting our work and coming along for the ride with us! Farewell Virginia It is with both a heavy yet cheerful…
Next Saturday, KFP Director Brent Björkman will be taking a Kentucky tradition on the road! On April 29th, Brent will be visiting Missouri friends to share a talk about Kentucky’s white oak basket tradition. If you’re in the area, make sure to check it out! For more info, check out the Facebook Event.
Remembering Douglas Paul Rich: The Kentucky Folklife Program is saddened to share the news that Paul Rich passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 12th. Along with his wife Vennie, Paul was a long-time basketmaker from the Mammoth Cave region. After an informal community apprenticeship with local basketmaker Tony Waddell, Paul began a…
Standing the Test of Time: Kentucky’s White Oak Basket Tradition, an exhibit created in partnership with the Kentucky Museum at Western Kentucky University, has been extended through April 8, 2017. Make sure you take advantage of this extension to visit the exhibit!
We’re here at the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center until 3:00 for a basketmaking demonstration with local makers. Come on out! from Instagram: http://ift.tt/2gDvUlI
Join us this Sunday, Dec. 4th for a White Oak Basketmaking Demonstration at the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center from 12-3pm. We’re pleased to have white oak basketmakers Scott Gilbert and Beth Hester along with willow and honeysuckle basketmakers Charles, Charlene, and Brandon Long joining us to talk about their craft. This is a…
Kentucky’s National Heritage Fellow Leona Waddell with Sam Peters and Dan Sheehy at her concert rehearsal. Friday night is the concert which will be streamed at 8 pm EST go to arts.gov to watch all the action! from Instagram: http://ift.tt/2dttTJd

In early 2014, KFP began working on a set of exhibit panels discussing Kentucky’s white oak basket-making tradition. Funded by a recently awarded NEA ArtWorks grant, these free-standing, 3′ x 7′ retractable panels incorporate images of basket-makers, their work, and the life narratives of these artists to help contextualize this important local tradition for a…