Elsie Watty
Title |
Elsie Watty |
Creator |
unknown |
Medium of Original |
photographs |
Dimensions |
8" x 10" |
Description |
In this undated photograph by an unknown photographer, basket weaver Elsie Watty is checking a chip from the white oak tree to see if it will make good material for basket weaving. Elsie Welch Watty (1935-2016) was a master Cherokee basket weaver who specialized in making white oak baskets and was known for creating her own designs. She was lived and worked on the Galamore Branch in the Big Cove community near Cherokee. Although her mother and grandmother each wove baskets, neither of them taught her the craft. Instead, she learned by observation and began to make baskets when she was ten years old. In 1977 her work was exhibited at the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual artisan cooperative. While she was an active basket weaver, she is said to have made 100 baskets a year. |
Subject |
Artisans -- Appalachian Region, Southern Cherokee women -- Appalachian Region, Southern Basket making -- Appalachian Region, Southern Basketwork -- Appalachian Region, Southern Cherokee baskets -- Appalachian Region, Southern |
Local Subject |
important people traditions basket makers |
Location |
Cherokee Indian Reservation (N.C.) |
Source Institution |
Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual |
Collection |
Photograph Collection |
Inventory Number |
QACM_Watty_Elsie_06 |
Copyright Information |
All rights reserved. For permissions and use, contact Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, Inc., Cherokee, NC 28719 |
Digital Publisher |
Hunter Library Digital Collections, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723 |
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