North Carolina Basket Weaving Convention Review: A Wonderful NCBA Gathering in Durham
The 2026 North Carolina Basketmakers Association Convention was a standout basket weaving event and a wonderful reminder of why regional basketry conferences matter so much. Held March 12–15, 2026, this year’s convention celebrated “40 Years of Woven Friendships” at the Sheraton Imperial Convention Center in Durham, North Carolina. NCBA describes the venue as a self-contained facility where everything is under one roof, and that convenience clearly helped create a smooth, welcoming, and enjoyable convention experience for attendees.
From the moment attendees arrived, the atmosphere felt positive, creative, and community-centered. Based on the photos from the event, the workrooms were spacious and well organized, with plenty of table space for in-progress baskets, tools, and materials. The lobby and common areas also looked polished, comfortable, and easy to navigate, which matters at a multi-day basket weaving convention where people move between classes, exhibits, vendors, raffles, and conversations with fellow weavers. NCBA’s official schedule also shows that the convention was thoughtfully structured, with registration, a newcomers welcome, open classes, vendors, the exhibit room, a basket swap, a teachers’ marketplace, and shipping support on Sunday.
One of the strongest features of the NCBA convention is the depth and quality of instruction. The 2026 program included classes for beginners through advanced weavers, and the official materials emphasized that attendees could take as many classes as they wanted for the cost of registration because there was no charge for extra hours. That is an especially attractive feature for basket makers who want to maximize both learning and value. The class lineup covered a broad range of materials, shapes, and traditions, from sweetgrass and willow to Cherokee twill, Nantucket work, decorative trays, shaped baskets, and functional household pieces
Several teachers especially helped make the 2026 convention feel rich in tradition and skill. Barbara McCormick brought the important Lowcountry sweetgrass tradition to the program; her biography notes that she learned from her grandmother, mother, aunts, and other family members, and that her work has been featured in documentaries and museum settings. She taught projects including a Sweetgrass Basket with Lid, giving students access to a meaningful basketmaking tradition with deep historical roots. Bonnie Gale, a widely respected willow basketmaker, has taught traditional willow basketry for 42 years and has received major recognition including a NYFA Artist Fellowship; her classes added a strong traditional willow component to the convention.
The program also highlighted respected southeastern and national teachers whose work helps connect artistry with practical learning. Judy Wobbleton, an NCBA cofounder and longtime basketry artist, has been weaving for over 40 years and taught classes such as the Cherokee Twill Gathering Basket and Shaker Cheese Basket, both of which reinforce the convention’s commitment to traditional forms and design. Peggy Adelman, who began teaching basket making at Guilford Technical Community College in 2009, brought the perspective of a longtime North Carolina instructor and designer. Kathy Petronzio, who has woven for 40 years and learned Japanese techniques while stationed in Japan, contributed projects including the Nantucket Wine Chiller, showing the range of techniques and styles available at the event.
Another strength of this convention was that it was more than just a class schedule. The official program included an Exhibit Room for original work, Visitor’s Day access on Friday and Saturday, a Teachers’ Marketplace on Friday night, raffle activities, and a basket swap. Those elements help transform a conference into a true basketry community gathering. The raffle display shown in your photos captures that spirit beautifully: baskets, tools, supplies, and handmade items arranged in a way that feels generous, fun, and deeply rooted in shared appreciation for the craft
What stands out most in the event photos is the feeling of concentration, friendliness, and hands-on joy. The classrooms are full of people actively weaving, learning, comparing progress, and enjoying the process. That is exactly what many basket makers hope to find when they travel to a convention: not just a finished project, but encouragement, fellowship, new techniques, and renewed inspiration. The NCBA 2026 convention appears to have delivered all of that in a venue that was attractive, functional, and well suited to a major fiber arts event.
For anyone who loves basket weaving, basketry classes, fiber arts events, and the warm community that grows around handcraft traditions, the North Carolina Basketmakers Association convention looks like one of the Southeast’s most rewarding gatherings. It brought together excellent teachers, a strong variety of projects, meaningful traditions, and a location that supported the event beautifully. From North Georgia Basketry’s perspective, this was the kind of conference that reminds us why basketry continues to thrive: great teachers, generous volunteers, eager students, and woven friendships that keep growing year after year.
The North Carolina Basket Weaving Convention exemplified the spirit of collaboration and creativity that defines the basketry community. Attendees engaged in enriching workshops led by skilled artisans, fostering an atmosphere of learning and mutual support. Additionally, the event showcased a diverse array of projects, allowing participants to explore innovative techniques while honoring traditional practices. Ultimately, this gathering not only celebrated the art of basket weaving but also strengthened the bonds among its practitioners, reinforcing the enduring legacy of this cherished craft.
