Former Miss Cherokee Kara Martin models a traditional Cherokee feather cape made on a netted base. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is offering workshops on making fish nets and feather capes Nov. 13-14. These workshops will take place in the Ken Blankenship Education and Research Wing of the Museum. Materials for nets will be provided. Workshops are sponsored by the Museum and the North Carolina Arts Council.
Participants will learn knotting techniques for making nets, which have been part of Cherokee tradition for more than 9,000 years. On Friday, Nov. 13 from 9am – 3pm, the basic technique for making a net will be taught, and participants will learn to make a rectangular net like those used for fishing. On Friday evening, Nov. 13, from 6-8pm, the techniques for sorting feathers and attaching feathers to nets will be taught. On Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9am – 3pm, techniques for shaping nets into a cape will be taught, so that participants can make the netted bases for feather capes.
All workshops will be taught by Deborah Harding, Carnegie Natural History Museum. Harding worked with the Museum to make the feather cape for the Emissaries of Peace exhibit in 2006, based on research by Barbara Duncan. The workshop size is limited to 15 people.
To register, visit the Museum Store or call 497-3481 ext. 208. The cost is $25 for all three workshops for EBCI members.
Info: bduncan@cherokeemuseum.org.
– Museum of the Cherokee Indian
