The Art and Craft of Stainless Steel Mesh Basketry
Lanny Bergner
Working with stainless steel mesh students will construct biomorphic and geometric flame-painted stainless steel mesh baskets.
Choosing from several design options provided by the instructor, students will make paper patterns and transfer their designs to the mesh. They will construct their baskets using flat-nose linesman pliers by twisting wire seams together and they will work with color-coated copper wire to secure and enhance mesh seams and basket rims. They will “flame-paint” designs on the mesh using propane and butane torches and then enhance surface designs with bas-relief. Techniques covered in class include wire wrapping and edging techniques as well as how to use silicone caulk and glass frit to enhance meshwork designs. Students should expect to make two to three 20 – 26 cm baskets. Students need to have moderate to fine motor skills and hand strength with dexterity to grasp and rotate a small flat-nose linesman pliers.
All skill levels welcome!
Class Fee
$700
PLUS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Residential Shared Residential Single Non-residential
$800 $900 $350
Please note all meals are included for residential participants.
Only lunch & morning/afternoon tea included for non-residential participants
All prices include access to talks, activities and dinner on Party Night
Lanny Bergner is an internationally renowned sculptor and metal mesh basketry artist.
He received his MFA in sculpture from Tyler School of Art in 1983 and a BFA in sculpture from the University of Washington in 1981. His work is in numerous museum collections including the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington DC; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA; Museum of Art and Design, NY, NY, and the Central Museum of Textile, Łódź, Poland. In 2005 he won a Gold Prize at the Cheongju International Craft Biennale. In 2010 he was one of five American artists who exhibited in the 13th International Triennial of Tapestry in Łódź, Poland.
Lanny has been creating biomorphic and geometric constructions out of metal mesh since 1983. He maintains a studio on Fidalgo Island in the Pacific Northwest, Washington State, USA.
