Stowe Basketry Festival

The Stowe Basketry Festival has been one of the nation’s leading basket-weaving conferences for almost 30 years.

The idea came from Merry Vigneau’s parents who attended the 1991 Rome Basketry Symposium in Rome NY organized by Flo Hoppe and Shereen LaPlantz where 15 nationally known basket makers taught classes for a week.

Because of their vision, The Stowe Basketry Festival is known for offering some of the best teachers available who offer new techniques to help you learn and develop more skills.

New friendships are made every year; it’s like coming home to see old friends in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The basket-making community is known for its acceptance and welcoming of new members. We learn, explore, and become more than we ever dreamed of. We offer many different styles and techniques to tempt weavers to learn something new or improve on your skills.

Teachers offer new patterns and techniques to our Stowe students and bring those experiences to students all around the country. Their dedication and expertise allows you to be one of the first to make a new design developed by one of the very best in the industry.

Over the years attendance has grown and although the pandemic caused a short pause, our enthusiasm did not wane. 2022 had many first-time students and many who have been returning for years. As the Festival transitions to a new chapter, we are proud to lean on traditions that have brought us together and imagine the possibilities open to us all.

Our inaugural year in 2023 was a success, with many new weavers and teachers. Browse our classes for 2024, there are many new to Stowe teachers and the return of many of Stowe’s favorites. Make new friends, learn new techniques, and join a welcoming community of weavers to expand your skills! We look forward to seeing you next May!