English Basketry Willows | Bonnie Gale Resume

Resumé

Bonnie Gale has been a professional willow basketmaker for the past twenty-nine years. A Kennedy Scholar with degrees from the University of Manchester and M.I.T., she has trained with professional European willow basketmakers. She is proprietor of "English Basketry Willows" (a small business selling imported European basketry willows, willow basketry books and tools) and founder of the "American Willow Growers Network" promoting the growing and the exploration of the uses of willow. She teaches traditional willow basketry across the United States at major conventions and guilds. She writes extensively on traditional willow basketry and willow growing and her articles have appeared in EarlyAmerican Life magazine, Basket Bits, Basketry Express and assorted basketry publications. Her work has been shown in major basketry exhibitions and she is the recipient of numerous awards. In 1999, she was awarded an Artist's Fellowship from the New York Foundation for the Arts. In 2001, she was rostered with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts for the Artists-in-Education program, and in 2002, she was accepted as a Master Basketmaker for their Apprenticeship Program. She was asked by Plimoth Plantation to make the large willow baskets featured on the film set in the PBS WGBH Boston television series "Colonial House", first aired in May 2004. In March 2006, her work on living willow installations was featured in "House and Garden" magazine, and her living installation on Long Island was shown in the Fall/Winter 2006 issue of "Vogue Living" magazine. In September 2006, she was commissioned by the Mount Vernon Estate to make a basket to specifically hold Martha Washington's love letters. In 2007, she was awarded an Artists and Communities grant from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation to engage in a large scale community oriented living willow installation at the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. In 2009, her work was featured in the PBS "Cultivating Life" series. In April 2010, she appeared on the Martha Stewart Show.

Statement

My work is focused on spatial containment and definition. My medium is willow. Functionality is the leading principle. I create beauty.”

Although there was a profusion of traditional willow basketry in Nineteenth century Eastern and Mid-Western United States, the immigrant basketmakers and their descendant trainees have almost passed away. Through my traditional willow basketmaking, I hope to keep the traditions alive. (I myself am an immigrant from England). As is the nature of the profession, I can make all styles of willow baskets, from simple round laundry baskets to baby bassinets. Due to the legacy, I have started making a Liverpool, New York series of willow baskets, reproducing many of the willow baskets made in Liverpool, New York in the Nineteenth century. I am also known for my willow and leather series (I do my own leather work) which includes the fishing creel with a 3-part harness, the willow backpack and camera basket, both with leather straps and brass hardware. I also make custom willow work, which mainly includes square willow baskets for designer kitchens. In recent years, I have started to explore the field of living willow structures, which is another exciting way to use willows. The building of living willow structures in school residencies, for private clients and in large scale community installations has become an important part of my work. I have started a large scale Living Art series and the first piece will be shown at the Central New York Flower Show in Syracuse in March 2010. I love the intense functionality and beauty of willow.

Education/Educational Awards

1969-1973. University of Manchester, England. Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with First Class Honours in Town and Country Planning.
1973-1975. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Graduated with a Master's Degree in City Planning.
1973. Halliday Prize, University of Manchester, England.
1973-1975. Kennedy Scholarship, Kennedy Memorial Trust, London, England.
1983 to present. Studied with professional European willow basketmakers including Jack Hembrow, David Drew, Werner Turtshi, Michael Thierschmann, Mary Butcher, Colin Manthorpe and Stanley Kuras. Study of willow growing during trips to Europe.
2003 to present. Study with Steve Pickup in England on living willow installations.
2008-2011. State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York. Master of Science in Landscape Architecture.
2011. Induction into Membership of the Honor Society of Sigma Lambda Alpha (Nu Chapter).
2011. Permaculture Design Certification, Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute, Cayutaville, New York.
2011. Certificate in Garden Based Learning (Teaching and Learning in the School Garden: Theory into Practice), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Teaching

1985-1986 (Pacific Northwest).
- Vi Phillips Basketry Guild, Seattle, Washington.
- University of Washington Experimental College, Seattle, Washington.
- Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Center, Seattle, Washington.
- Magnolia Weaving, Bellevue, Washington.
- Portland Handweavers Guild, Portland, Oregon.
1987. Wesleyan Potters Guild, Middletown, Connecticut.
1988 to present (each year). Variety of traditional classes at all levels taught in South New Berlin, New York, plus foreign guest teacher each year.
1988. "Love is Woven Here", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Annual Convention, Battle Creek, Michigan.
1989. Spring and Fall classes at the Butternut Valley Arts and Crafts Center, Morris, New York, funded by a New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Grant.
1989. Benedictine Monastery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1989. Brookfield Craft Center, Brookfield, Connecticut.
1989. "Basketry Focus", Harborfront Center, Toronto, Canada.
1989. "The Basket Gathering at Camp Mowana", Mansfield, Ohio.
1989. "Tomorrow's Heirlooms", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1991. "Baskets at Heart", North Carolina Basketmakers' Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
1991. "Winter Weekend Workshops", Farmer's Museum, Cooperstown, New York.
1991. "New Forms in Willow" Conference, Ness Gardens, the Wirral, England.
1991. "Rome Basketry Symposium", Rome Arts and Community Center, Rome, New York.
1991. "Baskets Connecting Friends", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Shanty Creek, Michigan.
1992. "Midwest Natural Basketmaking Seminar", Amana Arts Guild, High Amana, Iowa.
1992. Wellness Conference, Norwich School District, Norwich, New York.
1992. New Jersey Basketweavers Guild, Short Hills, New Jersey.
1992. "Seminars of American Culture", Farmer's Museum, Cooperstown, New York.
1992. "New for '92", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Lansing, Michigan.
1992. Black Ash Sewing Basket Class through the Basketmakers' Association, Wantage, Oxon, England.
1993. "Together We Share", North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
1993. "Stowe Basketry Festival", Stowe, Vermont.
1993. "A Heritage of Baskets", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1994. "Basketmakers' Gathering", Indiana Basketmakers' Association Convention, West LaFayette, Indiana.
1994. "Simple Gifts", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Battle Creek, Michigan.
1995. New Berlin Library, New Berlin, New York, funded by a New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Grant.
1995. "Over, Under, Around and Through," North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Asheville, North Carolina.
1995 (Pacific Northwest).
- Fish Sticks, Marysville, Washington.
- Seattle Tilth Association, Seattle, Washington.
- Portland Handweavers Guild, Portland, Oregon.
- Corvallis Basketry Group, Corvallis, Oregon.
1995. "A Harvest of Baskets", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Grand Traverse, Michigan.
1996. "Winter Weave", Wildwood Basketry Guild, Mentor, Ohio.
1996. "B is for Baskets", North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
1996. Annual Meeting of the Northeast Basketmakers' Guild, Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
1996. "Celebrate Your Part in an Age Old Art", Indiana Basketmakers' Association Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana.
1996. Great Basin Basketmakers, Reno, Nevada.
1996. Cook Forest Sawmill Center for the Arts, Cooksburg, Pennsylvania.
1996. Sixth Annual Basketry Retreat, Northeast Basketmakers' Guild, Suffield, Connecticut.
1996. Two classes (cedar and birch bark), sponsored through two members of the British Basketmakers' Association in Oxfordshire and Cornwall, England.
1996. Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES, Norwich, New York.
1996. "From Tree to Treasure", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1997. "Basketmakers Heaven In '97", North Carolina Basketmakers' Convention, Charlotte, North Carolina.
1997. Indiana Basketmakers' Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana.
1997. Valley Fiber Arts Guild, Wasilla, Alaska.
1997. Sawtooth Center for Visual Art, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
1997. Great Basin Basketmakers, Reno, Nevada.
1997. Jenalee Frazier, Fruit Heights, Utah.
1997. High Country Guild, Annandale, Virginia.
1997. Earth Guild, Asheville, North Carolina.
1997. "Baskets Great and Small", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1998. "Let's Create in '98", North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
1998. "Abundance of Baskets", Finger Lake Weavers Guild, Rochester, New York.
1998. Annual Meeting and Guild Retreat, Northeast Basketmakers' Guild, Lexington, Massachusetts and Suffield, Connecticut.
1998. Great Basin Basketmakers, Reno, Nevada.
1998. "Woven Inspirations", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1998. A series of eight basketry workshops (four children and four adult workshops) in Chenango County, New York funded by a Decentralization Grant.
1999. Children's Workshops for the Earlville Opera House, Earlville, New York.
1999. "Weaving Time in '99", North Carolina Basketmakers' Convention, Charlotte, North Carolina.
1999. McDonough Improvement Committee, McDonough, New York.
1999. Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, Massachusetts.
1999. Children's workshop at the Roxbury Art Group, Roxbury, New York.
1999. Series of workshops held at the Chenango County Historical Museum, Norwich, New York, plus lecture and demonstration.
1999. Series of workshops in conjunction with Willow Day at the Liverpool Willow Museum, Liverpool, New York.
1999. Demonstration and children's workshop at the "Celebration of the Arts" Festival, South New Berlin, New York.
1999. Demonstration at the National Folk Festival, East Lansing, Michigan.
1999. Demonstration at the "Festival of County Arts and Artisans", Sheffield Historical Society, Sheffield, Massachusetts.
1999. Demonstration at the Willow Festival, LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton, New York.
1999. Workshop at Annie's Garden Center, Cheatham, Massachusetts.
1999. "Weaving Into The Future", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Traverse City, Michigan.
2000. Workshop at Hill Top Gardens, Tiverton, Rhode Island.
2000. "2000 Reasons to Weave", North Carolina Basketmakers' Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2000. Workshops at "Basket Fest 2000", Lake County Basket Guild, Pewaukee, Wisconsin.
2000. Workshops at High Country Guild, Annandale, Virginia.
2000. Workshops through the Chenango County Council of the Arts, Norwich, New York.
2000. Workshops and demonstration at the National Folk Festival, East Lansing, Michigan.
2000. Workshops at the Country Seat, Kempton, Pennsylvania.
2000. Featured speaker at the Annual Artists' Gathering, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, organized by the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance.
2000. "Celebrate our Traditions", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2000. Featured demonstrator and workshop leader at the "Wind in the Willows" Festival, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
2001. "For the Love of Baskets", North Carolina Basketmakers' Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2001. "Basketry Seminar", Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri.
2001. Workshops at the Country Seat, Kempton, Pennsylvania.
2001. Workshop at the Westchester Area Basketry Guild, Westchester, New York.
2001. Workshop and demonstration at the National Folk Festival, East Lansing, Michigan.
2001. "Exploring the Future - Revisiting the Past", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2001. Took on first apprentice through the PCA Traditional Folk Arts Program, administered by the Institute of Cultural Partnerships, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
2002. "Guilders Weave", Newport News, Virginia.
2002. "The Wonders of Weaving", North Carolina Basketmakers' Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2002. "Basketry Seminar", Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri.
2002. Featured speaker and workshop leader at the Michigan State Master Gardeners' Convention, Lansing, Michigan.
2002. "Diversity in Basketry", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2003. Jefferson Central School, Jefferson, New York.
2003. "Weaving Memories", North Carolina Basketmakers' Association, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2003. Oneonta High School Wellness Day, Oneonta, New York.
2003. Golden Fleece Spinners' Society, Baldwinsville, New York.
2003. Willow Day, Town of Cazenoia, New York.
2003. "Basketry Seminar", Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri.
2003. Brookfield Craft Center, Brookfield, Connecticut.
2003. Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School, Mount Upton, New York.
2003. Assorted venues through the Arts-in-Education After School Program administered by the Upper Catskill Community Council on the Arts, Oneonta, New York.
2003. Exhibitor at the International Master Gardener's Convention, Covington, Kentucky.
2003. Exhibitor and workshop leader at the Michigan State Master Gardener's Summer Conference, Lansing, Michigan.
2003. Exhibitor at the Catskill Mountain Culture Festival, Hunter, New York.
2003. Workshop leader at the Woodlanders Gathering 2003, Catskill Mountain Foundation, Hunter, New York.
2003. Garden day, Michigan State University Horticulture Department, Lansing, Michigan.
2003. Fletcher Farm School of Arts and Crafts, Ludlow, Vermont.
2003. Workshop Leader at the Northeast Organic Farmer's Association 29th Annual Summer Convention, Amherst, Massachusetts.
2003. Quiet Valley Living History Farm, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
2003. 60th Waterford Home Tour and Craft Exhibition, Waterford, Virginia.
2003. Sandy Atkinson's Country House, Lennon, Michigan.
2003. Deer Creek Basketry Guild, Bel Air, Maryland.
2003. "Weave Your Baskets With Kindness", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Traverse City, Michigan.
2004. Arts-in-Education program with Margaretville Central School, Margaretville, New York.
2004. Arts-in-Education CROP After School Programs with the following school districts in New York: Schenevus, Edmeston, Morris, Laurens, Cooperstown, Milford, Davenport, Charlotte Valley and Worcester.
2004. Artist Showcase (through DCMO Boces), Unadilla Valley Central School, New Berlin, New York.
2004. "Basket Collector", North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Raleigh North Carolina.
2004. Artist Residency at the Dietrich Theater, Wyoming County Cultural Center, Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania from April to June.
2004. Classes at Sharon Culberson's Studio, Tiverton, Rhode Island.
2004. Adult Education classes through DCMO Boces, Norwich, New York.
2004. Workshops at the Country Seat, Kempton, Pennsylvania.
2004. Brookfield Craft Center, Brookfield, Connecticut.
2004. Workshops at the Summer Conference of the Michigan State Master Gardeners, Lansing, Michigan.
2004. Several workshops at the Fletcher Farm School of Arts and Crafts, Ludlow, Vermont.
2004. Several workshops at the Woodlanders Gathering 2004, Catskill Mountain Foundation, Hunter, New York.
2004. Artist Residencies in the Unadilla Valley Central School and Sherburne-Earlville Central School, New York.
2004. Decentralization Grant facilitated local basketry workshop series at the South New Berlin Library, New York.
2004. Workshops with Central Pennsylvania Guild, Palmyra, Pennsylvania.
2005. "That Which You Share", North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2005. Workshops at the Discovery Center, Binghamton, New York.
2005. Workshops at the County Seat, Kempton, Pennsylvania.
2005. Workshops at the Upper South Carolina Basketmakers, Greenville, South Carolina.
2005. "Hands Weaving Memories", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Traverse City, Michigan.
2005. Workshop at Liverpool Willow Museum to celebrate the 175th birthday of Liverpool, New York.
2005. Artist residencies at the Unatego Central School and Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School, New York.
2005 and 2006. Workshops at Fletcher Farm School of Arts and Crafts, Ludlow, Vermont.
2005 and 2006. Adult Education classes through DCMO Boces, Norwich, New York as well as many Arts-in-Education CROP programs.
2005 and 2006. Workshops at Brookfield Craft Center, Brookfield, Connecticut.
2005 and 2006. Workshops at the Sidney Public Library, Sidney, New York.
2005 and 2006. Workshops at Daniel Mack's "Woodlanders Gathering", Warwick, New York.
2005-2006. PCA Artist Residency at the Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania.
2006. "Twenty Years of Weaving with Friends", North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2006. Second apprentice taken on through the PCA Traditional Folk Arts Program of the Institute for Cultural Partnerships, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
2006. NYSCA Artist Residency at Candor High School, Candor, New York.
2006. "Woven Wonders", Association of Michigan Basketmakers' Convention, Traverse City, Michigan.
2006. Extended Arts-in-Education work at the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School, New York.
2006. Series of basketry and holiday craft workshops at the Dietrich Theater, Wyoming County Cultural Center, Tuckhannock, Pennsylvania.
2006-2007. PCA Artist Residency at West Chester Friends School, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
2007. NYSCA Artist Residency at The Susquehanna School, Binghamton, New York.
2007. NYSCA Artist Residency at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School, New York.
2007. Workshop for the Jericho Arts Council, Sidney, New York.
2007. "Twenty Years of Weaving With Friends", North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2007. Four workshops at the Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts, Ludlow, Vermont.
2007. Summer programs at the West Chester Friends School, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
2007. Artist Residency at the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park, Erie, Pennsylvania through the Arts Council of Erie.
2008. Artist residencies at the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School and the Chenango Bridge Elementary Schools, New York.
2008. Guest Lecturer at Syracuse University, College of Visual and Performing Arts, Syracuse, New York.
2008. "My Baskets and Me", North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2008. Workshops at the Fletcher Farm School of the Arts and Crafts, Ludlow, Vermont.
2008. Workshops at the Rome Art Center, Rome, New York and the Mohawk Valley Center of the Arts, Little Falls, New York.
2009. "Baskets, Naturally", North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2009. Basketry demonstration for the Earlville Opera House, Earlville, New York.
2009. Artist Residency with Cazenovia High School and SUNY-ESF at the Willow Patch in Cazenovia involving living sculpture in a multi-phase ecological restoration.
2009. Series of local workshops for the DCMO BOCES, Norwich, New York.
2009. Workshops in living structures at Guilford Art Center, Guilford, Connecticut.
2009. Lattern workshop for the Town of Columbus, New York.
2009. Garden Structures workshop for the DeWitt Public Library, DeWitt, New York.
2009-10. A series of workshops for the Catskill Regional Teacher's Center, Oneonta, New York.
2010. "Celebrating Baskets!", North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2010. Artist Residency at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School, Gilbertsville, New York to engage in the "Weaving The Eagle", the school emblem.
2010. Artist residency at the Morris Central School, Morris, New York to engage in building a living willow mustang, the school emblem.
2010. Living Willow Structures and Trellises classes at the Peters Valley Craft Center, Layton, New Jersey.
2010. Trellises and Hypertufa classes at the Guilfor Art Center, Guilford, Connecticut.
2010. Garden Trellis and Hypertufa workshops at Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts, Ludlow, Vermont.
2011. Workshops at the North Carolina Basketmakers’ Association Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2011. Workshops at the 6th annual Stateline Friends Weaving Retreat, Richmond, Indiana.
2011. Workshops at the Northeast Basketmakers Gathering, West Springfield, Massachusetts.
2011. Artist Residencies at the Morris Central School, New York (exploring sculptural form); Otego Elementary School, New York (living willow arbor); Cazenovia High School, New York (exploring basket form); Fayetteville Elementary School, New York (two living willow arches).
2011. Workshops for the Syracuse Garden Club, New York.
2011. Workshops at the Lodge at Woodloch, Pennsylvania.
2011. Community Lantern Making Workshop with Catholic Charities of Chenango County, Norwich, New York.
2011. Workshops at Newark Valley Historical Society, Newark Valley, New York.

Articles

October 1984. "Raising Your Own Basket Willows", Newsbasket magazine, Press de LaPlantz, Bayside, California.
1987. Series of basketry book reviews, Basketmaker Quarterly, MKS Publications, Westland, Michigan.
Summer 1987. "Basket Willow Trials in South New Berlin, New York", Basketmaker Quarterly, MKS Publications, Westland, Michigan.
February 1988. "Willow Wall Basket" (pattern), Newsbasket magazine, Press de LaPlantz, Bayside, California.
1988. "Willow Growing", Basketry Express, Willow Walk Press, Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
Spring 1989. "Willow Baby Rattle" (pattern), Basketmaker Quarterly, MKS Publications, Westland, Michigan.
Winter 1989. "On the Question of Spacing Cultivated Willows", Northeast Basketmakers Guild Newsletter, Pembroke, Massachusetts.
Winter 1990. "The Pro's and Con's of Black Plastic in Willow Culture", Basketmakers' Association Newsletter No. 52, Canterbury, England.
1991. "How to Make the Willow Bazaar Basket", Basketry Round-up 1991, Shereen LaPlantz, Bayside, California.
1991. "Willow Chair Seating", Basketry Express, Willow Walk Press, Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
1992. "New Forms in Willow", Basketry Express, Willow Walk Press, Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
October 1992. "Make a Willow Lunch Basket", Early American Life Magazine, Cowles Magazines, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Winter 1992. "The Art of Willow Skeining, Part I: How to Make Willow Skeins", Basket Bits, Issue No. 12, Loudonville, Ohio.
Winter 1993. "The Art of Willow Skeining, Part II: Making a Skeined Willow Bracelet", Basket Bits, Issue No. 16, Loudonville, Ohio.
1993. "Repairing Antique Willow Work", Basketry Round-Up 1993, Shereen de LaPlantz, Bayside California.
1996. Cover and article, Craft Marketing News, #108, June 1996, The Front Room Publishers, Clifton, New Jersey.
1996. "Willow Baby Rattle", Basketry Express, Willow Walk Press, McDonald's Corners, Ontario, Canada.
1999. Inclusion of work in Baskets - A Book for Makers and Collectors by Billie Ruth Sudduth, Hand Books Press, Madison, Wisconsin. 1999.
2001 and 2002. Featured artist and a listed supplier of custom kitchen drawer baskets in "Period Kitchens" of Period Homes, New York, New York.
2004. "Living Place of Respite", Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. July 11, 2004. This is an article on Bonnie Gale's living willow installation in Tuckhannock.
2004. "Agri-Art: Norwich resident Bonnie Gale makes functional art out of what she knows best: willow", The Evening Sun, Norwich, New York. August 9, 2004.
2005. "The Adventurous Gardener: Where to Buy the Best Plants in New York and New Jersey" by Ruah Donnelly. The Horticultural Press. Section on Bonnie Gale.
2006. March issue of "House and Garden" magazine. Full length feature on Bonnie Gale's Living Willow Structures entitled "One Gardener's Almanac: Slender Reeds, Sturdy Shoots".
2006. Featured in Lyn Siler's book, "A Basketmaker's Odyssey", World Weavers Ink, North Carolina.
2006. Article on Bonnie Gale, her life and work, in Basket Bits, Issue No. 54, Sturtevant, Wisconsin.
2006. "The Ultimate Basket Book" by Lyn Siler, Lark Books, Raleigh, North Carolina. The Willow Field Basket Instructions, written by Bonnie Gale, are featured on pages 85-90.
2007. Inclusion in "Woven History: A Basket Heritage Project", Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan.
2007. "Art Takes Root", Erie Times, June 6, 2007.
2010. "Profile: Bonnie Gale: Living Willow Sculptures" by Jo Stealey, Fiberarts magazine, Summer 2010.

Exhibitions

April - May 1988. Joint Show "Woven Forms" at The Gallery of the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts, Oneonta, New York.
July 1988. "BasketWeave - A National Juried Competition", Dairy Barn/Southeastern Ohio Cultural Arts Center, Athens, Ohio.
October 1989. "Craft Works", The Cooperstown Art Association and The Farmer's Museum, Cooperstown, New York.
June 1990. "Song of the Earth - A Medley of Baskets", Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster, Massachusetts.
June-July 1990. "Patterns", The Mill Gallery, Guildford Handcrafts Center, Guildford, Connecticut.
July 1990. "BasketWeave - A National Juried Competition", Dairy Barn/Southeastern Ohio Cultural Arts Center, Athens, Ohio.
February-March 1991. Northeast Basketmakers' Guild First Annual Exhibition, The Gallery, Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, Connecticut.
May 1991. Basketry Exhibition in conjunction with Stowe Basketry Festival, Stowe, Vermont.
October-December 1991. "Basketry from all Directions", Arrowmont Gallery, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
February-March 1992. "Basketry - A Cultural Bridge", Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
October 1992. "Made in New York", Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown, New York.
February-March 1993. "Basketry - A Cultural Bridge", Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
March-April 1993. "Woven, Plaited, Twined, Coiled - A National Basketry Competition", Sawtooth Center for Visual Art, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
April-May 1993. Northeast Basketmakers' Guild Second Exhibition, Wilkinson Gallery, Slater Mill Historic Site, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
May 1993. Basketry Exhibition in conjunction with Stowe Basketry Festival, Stowe, Vermont.
May 1993. "Basketry Redefined '93", (Northwest Folklife Festival), Northwest Basket Weavers Vi Phillips Guild, Seattle, Washington.
February-March 1994. "Basketry - A Cultural Bridge", Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
October 1994. "Made in New York", Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown, New York.
April 1995. "The Baskets of Bonnie and Jeffrey Gale", New Berlin Art Forum, New Berlin Library, New Berlin, New York.
July 1995. Northeast Basketmakers' Guild 10 Year Anniversary Exhibition, Worcester Center for Craft, Worcester, Massachusetts.
August-October 1995. "Reed, Willow, Ash, Oak", Hicks Art Center, Bucks County Community College, Newtown, Pennsylvania.
October 1995. "Made in New York", Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown, New York.
June-July 1996. "Time Keepers" Exhibit at Convergence '96 (Convention of the Handweavers Guild of America Inc.) Portland, Oregon.
August 1996. "Craft Adventure '96", New England Center, Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Massachusetts.
September-November 1996. "In the Adirondack and Rustic Tradition", Frog Hollow, Vermont State Craft Center, Middlebury, Vermont.
August 1997. "Craft Adventure '97", New England Center, Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Massachusetts.
June 1998. Northeast Basketmakers' Guild Annual Exhibition, Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, Massachusetts.
August 1998. Earlville Opera House Summer Show, Earlville, New York.
August 1998. "Craft Adventure '98", New England Center, Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Massachusetts.
November-December 1998. "Member's Exhibition", Chenango County Council of the Arts, Norwich, New York.
July-September 1999. Solo Exhibition at the Chenango County Historical Society, Norwich, New York.
August 1999. Earlville Opera House Summer Show, Earlville, New York.
August 1999. "Craft Adventure '99", New England Center, Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Massachusetts.
August-October 1999. "All Things Considered (Tradition & Innovation in Basketry Today)", Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
November-December 1999. "Member's Exhibition", Chenango County Council of the Arts, Norwich, New York.
January-February 2000. "Basketry - A Cultural Bridge", Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
March-April 2000. Northeast Basketmakers' Guild Annual Exhibition, Richmond Art Center, Windsor, Connecticut.
November 2000. Exhibition at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania as part of the "Wind in the Willows" Festival.
January 2001. "From the Earth", Chenango County Council of the Arts, Norwich, New York.
January-February 2001. "Basketry - A Cultural Bridge", Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
April-June 2001. "Festival of American Basketry" and "Willow Invitational", National Basketry Conference, Amana Arts Guild, Amana, Iowa.
September 2001-March 2002. "The Third New York State Craft Biennial", The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy, New York.
January-March 2002. Exhibition of the National Basketry Organization, The Decorative Arts Museum, Little Rock, Arkansas.
March 2002. "Baskets 2002: New Perspectives on an Ancient Tradition", Guilford Handcraft Center and Northeast Basketmakers' Guild, Guilford, Connecticut.
April-June 2002. "2002 Festival of American Basketry", Historic Amana Colonies, Iowa
2003. Featured artist in the Fourth phase of the "Heritage of Baskets" project, Michigan State University Traditional Arts Program, Lansing, Michigan.
April 2003. "Heart-To-Hand" Show, Northern Tier Cultural Alliance, Laporte, Pennsylvania.
March-April 2004. "Tradional Craft - Contemporary Art", New Hampshire Institute of Art/Northeast Basketmakers Guild, Manchester, New Hampshire.
April-June 2004. "Festival of American Basketry - Only Natural: Nature's Baskets II Exhibition, Amana Colonies, Iowa.
July-September 2004. "Celebrating Chenango County", Senator Thomas W. Libous, Albany, New York.
June 2005. "All Things Considered III". Exhibition of the National Basketry Organization, Roswell, Georgia.
May-September 2006. National Basketry Organization, "Basketry International Juried Exhibition", the Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, Ohio.
May-September 2006. "Basketry from Across the USA", Philip Dickel Basket Museum and Gallery, West Amana, Iowa.
July-December 2006. "Woven Together: Voices in Basketry", The Yager Museum, Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York.
September-November 2006. Northeast Basketmakers Guild, "Waves of Tradition" Exhibition, Slater Mill Gallery, Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
May-August 2007. The Fine Arts Gallery, Highlands, North Carolina.
March-September 2008. Basket Exhibition at the Amana Colonies, Iowa.
March-September 2009. Festival of American Basketry, Amana Colonies, Iowa.
October 2009. Somerset Art Weeks, Musgrove Willows, Somerset, England.
March-September 2010. Festival of American Basketry, Amana Colonies, Iowa.
August 2011. Willow Festival at Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus, Denmark.

Awards

1987. "Second Place" award, Roxbury Outdoor Art Show, Roxbury, New York.
1992 and 1993. "Honorable Mention" awards at "Basketry A Cultural Bridge" exhibition, Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, Arizona.
1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2010. "Directory of the Best Traditional Craftsmen", Early American Homes Magazine / Early American Life Magazine, Firelands Media Group, Shaker Heights, Ohio.
1993. "Best Traditional" award at "Woven, Plaited, Twined, Coiled" exhibition at the Sawtooth Center for the Arts, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999-2004. "First Place" ribbons in the Basketry Division of the Otsego County Fair, Morris, New York.
1994. "Second Place" award at the "Made in New York" show at the Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown, New York.
1996. "Second Place" award in the Traditional Section of the Exhibits at the North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
1996. Bursary Award from the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers, England, to attend the British Basketmakers' Association Summer School.
1996. Special Opportunity Stipend from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts, to help attend the British Basketmakers' Association Summer School.
1996. "First Place" award in the Traditional Section and "Best of Show", at "Craft Adventure '96", the Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Massachusetts.
1996. "Second Place" ribbon in the Traditional Basketry division of the New York State Fair, Syracuse, New York.
1997. "Third Place" award in the Other: Basketry division of the Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, Norwich, New York.
1997. "Third Place" and "Honorable Mention" awards in the Traditional Basketry Section at "Craft Adventure '97", the Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Massachusetts.
1998. Individual Grant Award from the Chenango Arts Fund (a Decentralization Program of the New York State Council of the Arts), Chenango County Council of the Arts, Norwich, New York.
1998. "Honorable Mention" ribbon in the Traditional Basketry Division of the New York State Fair, Syracuse, New York.
1998. "Second Place" award in the Other: Basketry Division of the Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, Norwich, New York.
1999. Artist Fellowship from the New York Foundation for the Arts, New York, New York.
1999. Grant to New York State Craft Artists, Craft Alliance of New York State, Syracuse, New York.
1999 to present. Rostered as an Arts-in-Education artist through DCMO BOCES, Oneonta, New York.
1999. Decentralization grants (via the New York State Council of the Arts) funded workshops/lecture/demonstration series at both Liverpool Willow Museum, Liverpool, New York and Chenango County Historical Society, Norwich, New York.
1999. Special Opportunity Stipend (SOS) from the New York Foundation for the Arts, New York, New York.
2000. "Third Place" award in the Traditional Section at the North Carolina Basketmakers' Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2001. "Best Traditional" award at the Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, Arizona, "Basketry - A Cultural Bridge 2001".
2001. Rostered with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Northern Tier Partnership for the Arts in Education; included in the "Directory of Pennsylvania Artists in Education" for 2001-2004, Governor's Office, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
2001-2002. Master Artist, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Apprenticeship Program in Folk and Traditional Arts--Bonnie Gale will act as a Master for the apprenticeship of Patricia Dillman in traditional Pennsylvania willow baksetry.
2002. "Mixed Media" award in the Members' Exhibition of the Chenango County Council of the Arts, Norwich, New York.
2004. "First Place" award in the Wicker section at the North Carolina Basketmakers' Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2004. Decentralization Grant from the Chenango County Council of the Arts (via NYSCA) to conduct 5 workshops at the South New Berlin Library, New York from March to May. Project entitled "Coffee, Crafts and Community".
2004. Individual Artist Grant from the Chenango County Council of the Arts (via NYSCA) to build two living willow installations in Spring, 2004. Project entitled "The Community Willow Installation".
2004. Local Capacity Building Grant from the Chenango County Council of the Arts to conduct extensive workshops at the Unadilla Valley Central School in Fall, 2004. Project entitled "Native American Traditions".
2004. Re-rostered with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts as an Artist-in-Education until 2007. Governor's Office, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
2004. PCA Partners in the Arts Grant award to teach basketry at two Senior Centers and to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
2005. Individual Artist Grant from the Chanango County Council for the Arts for "The Willow Work of Bonnie Gale: Tours, Lecture and Interactive Demonstration", Willow Day/Open House was conducted in October for the community.
2005. Grants for Teachers Program (NYSCA) for "The Marvelous Mitten and its Making", Unadilla Valley Central School, New Berlin, New York.
2005. NYSCA Decentralization Grant to continue basketry workshops at the South New Berlin Library, New York: "Coffee, Crafts and Community II" with an emphasis on the Liverpool willow basketry tradition.
2006. NYSCA Arts Partners Grant to conduct "Math and the Fiber Arts" in Candor High School, Candor, New York.
2006. NYSCA Art Start Grant through the Syracuse Partners for Arts Education to conduct the "Willow to Charcoal - Phase I" project in Norwich City Schools, Norwich, New York.
2006. PCA Partners in the Arts Grant award to teach basketry to the Girl Scouts and Lanesboro Senior Center, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
2006. PCA Apprenticeship in Traditional Arts award to Ms. Melodie Gum, Apprentice, to train with Bonnie Gale.
2006. "Second Place" award in the Novice Hardwoods category (for Sussex Trug basket) at the North Carolina Basketmakers' Association Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina.
2006. Individual Artist Grant from the Chenango County Council of the Arts to conduct "The Community Willow Work of Bonnie Gale: Questions and Answers" in September.
2006. Decentralization Grant (through NYSCA) to continue with basketry workshops at the South New Berlin Library, New York.
2006. PCA Artist Residency award for the West Chester Friends School, West Chester, Pennsylvania through Millersville University.
2006. Arts Partners Regrant (NYSCA) award to conduct a residency at The Susquehanna School, Binghamton in Spring, 2007.
2007. PCA Partners in the Arts Grant award to teach basketry to the Girl Scouts and Lanesboro Senior Center, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
2007. Catskill Regional Teachers Center Grant combined with an NYSCA Partners Grant to conduct an artist residency at the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School, New York.
2007. Artists & Communities Grant from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Baltimore, Maryland in conjunction with the Arts Council of Erie, Pennsylvania.
2007. Individual Artist Grant from NYSCA, administered by the Chenango County Council of the Arts to conduct the Community Living Willow Installation at Guernsey Park in Norwich, New York.
2007. Technical Assistance Program grant for a Strategic Foundation Building Retreat with Chenango Bridge Elementary School, New York.
2008. PCA Partners in the Arts Grant to teach basketry to the Girl Scouts and the Lanesboro Senior Center, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
2008. Selected Artist for the Otsego County ArtQuest geocaching program and installed a living maze structure on the grounds of Wilber Mansion. Oneonta, New York.
2008. Art Partners Regrant (NYSCA) award to conduct a living structure residency at the Chenango Bridge Elementary School, Chenango Bridge, New York.
2008. Creative Partnership Grant (NYSCA) through UCCCA and a Teacher's Center grant to conduct an artist residency (living structure) at the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School, New York.
2009. Partners for Arts Education LCB Art$tart grant to fund an artist residency at Cazenovia High School in partnership with SUNY-ESF.
2009. Recipient of Decentralisation funding through Chenango County Council on the Arts to conduct workshop in the Town of Columbus.
2009. PCA Partners in the Arts Grant to teach basketry to the Girl Scouts and the Lanesboro Senior Center, Susquehanna County, Pennslvania.
2009. Grant from the New York Folklore Society towards the cost of study with Mr. Alastair Heseltine, Hornby Island, British Columbia.
2010. Creative Partnership Grants (NYSCA) through UCCCA and Teacher's Center grants to conduct two artist residencies at the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School and the Morris Central School, New York.
2011. NYSCA Art Start Grants in the Cazenovia High School, Cazenovia, New York (basket form) and Morris Central School, Morris, New York (basket sculptural explorations).

Professional Memberships

Association of Michigan Basketmakers (since 1988)
Indiana Basketmakers Association
North Carolina Basketmakers Association (since 1983)
Northeast Basketmakers Guild
Great Basin Basketmakers
Basketmakers' Association, England (since 1984)
Handweavers' Guild of America
National Basketry Organization

Jurying Experience

1997. Juror for SOS Awards from the New York Foundation for the Arts, administered by the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts, Oneonta, New York.
2010. Juror on LCB grant panel for Art Partners, Discovery Center, Binghamton.