Basket Tales at
Collingswood Crafts and Fine Art Fair
In conversation with folklorist Rita Moonsammy, 2022 New Jersey Council on the Humanities scholar, Mary May shares her 30-year journey researching and recreating traditional baskets that were once used for essential work.
For two days in August, Collingswood was abuzz with basket weavers from two different regions of South Jersey. Attendees of the Farmers Market and the 16th annual Collingswood Crafts and Fine Art Festival were treated to a smorgasbord of handwoven items, basketry demonstrations, and educational talks. Perusing these woven treasures, viewers could observe how artisans work with local materials–grasses, trees, vines and bark foraged in the wilds of the Pine Barrens.

Kicking off the day was Steven Carty, inviting passersby to sit down and join him in weaving a garlic basket to take home. Later in the day, he demonstrated how he wrestles wisteria, tree bark and other rugged materials into uniquely shaped baskets that are functional works of art.

His mother (and weaving mentor) Mary Carty was on hand to share her expertise in traditional weaving techniques inspired by her Lenape ancestors–and display gorgeous handmade items made from gourds and other found materials.

One highlight of “Basket Tales” was an impromptu musical performance by Mary on her hand-made dulcimer.

Representing the Jersey Shore, Mary May shared her expertise in recreating baskets from a time when basket makers were essential workers–supplying fishermen, berry pickers, and market vendors with vessels of the exact size and shape needed to get the job done. 
 
As the festival materials noted, “one of the first things we humans did together was weave baskets.” While celebrating one of the world’s oldest folk arts, Basket Tales showcased a tradition that continues to thrive in the hands of these creative and resourceful basket makers.
Earlybirds enjoying a pre-Festival weaving workshop with Steven Carty beamed with pride at completing their first basket! Pro tip: keep that spray bottle handy—wet reeds are more pliable.
Mary Carty creates many of her signature baskets by weaving around an eye-catching centerpiece item.
Some pine needles are actually that long! Mary Carty demonstrates how she works with unique local materials from New Jersey’s storied Pine Barrens.
Many of Steven Carty’s trademark rustic baskets are made of raw, foraged materials like bark and wisteria.
Like many other folk traditions, basket weaving is often passed on from master artist to apprentice. Here Kelsey Wolf, apprentice to Steven Carty, wrestles raw, foraged materials into a form they never dreamed of having.
Though serious about creating historical baskets, Mary May also delights in creating unique and adorable things you’ll never see anywhere else. Come fall, we definitely want a set of woven corn cobs hanging from our door!
Whet up your knife and whistle up your dog! Mary’s got a dulcimer and she’s playing “Groundhog”! A festival attendee intrigued by this Appalachian folk instrument on display in the Carty tent gets a quick tutorial.
Mary May demoing the “South Jersey berry basket.” During the off season, the children of local blueberry farmers used to knock them out by the dozens. Their handwoven products were never meant to be cherished as collectibles, but intended for a single purpose—moving berries.
Steven Carty and apprentice Kelsey Wolf share tips for
 foraging basketry materials in the wild.
Basket Tales is a project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts in partnership with the New Jersey Council on the Humanities. Additional support for research and interviews with artists was provided by the New Jersey Council on the Humanities.
All Hail Our H.E.A.R. Interviewers
H.E.A.R. Interviewer Lydia Sheckels embarks on her journey through South Jersey "Basket World," guided by master weaver Mary Carty.
Armed with their questions and our mini-recorders, 11 newly-minted community historians ventured out to parts unknown (at least to this folklorist) to interview notable South Jersey personalities. All had been recruited by Perkins Folklife Center’s H.E.A.R. [Heritage Evident and Relevant] Oral History project, funded by a grant from the New Jersey Council on the Humanities.” According to the grant, the purpose of the project was to “deeply connect and support untapped community leaders, tradition bearers and community cultural organizations located in South Jersey.”  

After participating in a full-day workshop, each community scholar chose someone with a story who, in their minds, were long overdue for a hearing. They prepared for the interviews by attending a workshop and getting some tips on doing oral history, guided by oral history expert Hanna Griff-Sleven. 
H.E.A.R.oes with Green Thumbs
Cynthia Kammer didn’t have to go far to find her unsung hero, Hipolito (“Polito”) Malave, the Puerto Rican gentleman with the green thumb who tends the donation garden on the grounds of the Newton Quaker Meeting House. As a member of the Friends community, Kammer wanted to hear his story and learn more and the people who enjoy his largesse, neighbors in the high-rise across the highway from the Meeting House. Read the interview and see incredible photos of Polito's handiwork here (Warning: viewing these images may lead to severe gardening impulses.)
Connected in Camden
As an art history major and student of African American culture and history, Rutgers student Paige Bates shared an instant connection with Larry Miles, owner of Camden’s iconic African American bookstore/event space/mini-museum. When Larry wasn’t able to complete the interview due to health concerns, Bates connected with Kimberly Camp, artist, gallery owner, and storyteller. Camp kept this eager student of history mesmerized with stories about family and friends in Camden’s remarkable (but little-known) Black middle class community from a few decades ago. (If you ever have a chance to stop by Galerie Marie in Collingswood, Camp might share a few gems in between customers). 
Crossing the Cultural Divide
Donna Maccherone had never met Ritu Pandya, a working artist and Indian cultural artisan. But that name rang a bell–Pandya was well established as a Perkins teaching artist and as a “cultural ambassadors” in her own community. Pandya was described as a practitioner of yoga, meditation, mandala, henna, Bollywood dance, and Ayurvedic cooking, who also teaches these traditions at Perkins as well as her own. Maccherone wanted to see for herself how one person could master all these art forms, each of which demands a lifetime of study. She was not disappointed. She got a tour of the basement temple, vibrant batik wall hangings Panday painted herself and artifacts from her family in India.
Exploring Basket World
Lydia Sheckels' curiosity about basketry exploded into a full-blown passion when she interviewed master basket weaver Mary Carty, founder of the Pinelands Music and Basketry Center, and her son Steven, also a weaver. One highlight?

At the time of publication, Sheckels will have sat down with at least two more notable artisans who are carrying on one of humankind’s oldest activities and one most essential for survival: crafting practical and beautiful storage vessels from natural materials. In case you missed it an earlier issue of the Folklife Newsletter, Steven's story is just a click away.
For more great stories, keep your eyes on your Inbox as the Folklife Newsletter will feature a new H.E.A.R. each month.
Each Month the Folklife Center newsletter will feature an interview with a notable South Jersey personality chosen by one of our community scholars participating in the H.E.A.R (Heritage Evident And Relevant) project. The H.E.A.R. mission is to deeply connect and support untapped community leaders, tradition bearers and community cultural organizations located in South Jersey. Designed to amplify voices and to raise visibility and awareness of local folklife, H.E.A.R. is supported by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Humanities and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
To learn more about the H.E.A.R. [Heritage Evident and Relevant] project click the button blow
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