Schoolchildren learn ancient art of basket making at MERA

Oct 08, 2014

by Marilyn Barnett

In this day and age of plastic and metal baskets most children have no idea that a basket can be made by hand using natural materials. Baskets are a very good craft to teach children as the only tools they need are their hands. The basketry project is being organized by MERA Schoolhouse in McDonalds Corners and spearheaded by Ankaret Dean. Funding is provided by The Basketry Network, a group in Toronto, now defunct, whose purpose was to encourage and teach basketry throughout Ontario.

Members of MERA are volunteering to go into the local schools in Lanark Highlands, Perth and Tay Valley and teach children in grades 3, 4 and 5 how to make a small basket to take home. Each basket is made using round reed and dyed in bright colours and woven in the traditional manner.

MERA hopes to visit all the local schools. Local organizations who would be interested in basket making may contact MERA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if your group would like to learn how to make a basket. Visit www.meraschoolhouse.org for more information about MERA's ongoing community arts programming.