RENEE MAKES
THE WORKING VESSELS PROJECT
a collaborative project by Renee Makes - custom vessels & basketry mentorship for farms in the Catskills & Hudson Valley
Three farms/three vessels
Over the last summer, I have collaborated with three farmers (Grounds for Gratitude, The Healing Acres, and SG Tractors) to design a basket for use on their farm. Drawing from historical agricultural basket forms and contemporary weaving techniques, these unique vessels respond to each farm's infrastructure, needs and land. The shape, techniques, and design reflect their intended use and locally available plant material.
Exhibition The opening reception for this work is on November 13th in Hudson, NY. From 5:30-9:30 Please register here to attend. (attendance is free)
Mentorship Each of the participating farmers will receive one-on-one instruction in making the basket designed for their farm- bringing craft into the practice for the off-season activites of each farm.
Grounds for Gratitude (G4G) - Fiber-Harvesting Vessel
G4G is a micro farm stewarded by Darien Hunter Golston (he/d) nurturing sovereignty by creating opportunities for Black people to be in joyful kinship with land. G4G naturally grows flowers, fibers, and dyes that support hormonal balance, reproductive well-being, and nurture pleasurable relations between plants and the people. Beyond cultivation, G4G offers greenspace design services and hosts play-centered events for TQLGB+ people of the global majority. This year, Grounds for Gratitude is incubating a Black agrarian craft plot at Rock Steady Farm. The collaborative design we are working on will support the harvest of fiber plants - cotton, flax and sorghum.
The Healing Acres - Egg harvesting & Storage Vessel
The Healing Acres grows flowers, raises chickens, alpacas and bees. Built with holistic experiences in mind, the Healing Acres is host to a wide variety of community-oriented farm experiences made to be a sanctuary of healing and hope. The collaboration for this vessel will be to replace the plastic buckets that they currently use to harvest eggs with a vessel that is ergonomic, provides better airflow to reduce condensation, and keeps the barn cat from helping himself to egg-based snacks.
SG Tractors - Ear-Protection Sun Hat.
SG (they/she) has a focus on educating farmers on how to fix and maintain farm equipment -- They teach workshops on servicing tractors, tractor maintenance, repair and safety. This collaboration will be for a wide-brimmed sun hat that will also allow the wearer to simultaneously wear proper ear protection.
THE FARMS
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS
Anna-Stesia Saunders is a multidisciplinary artist working at the intersection of storytelling and social connection. By using videography, music and editing as tools for community dialogue, they aim to honor individual voices while apmlifying the collective heartbeat of the spaces they inhabit.
Costa Boutsikaris- Costa is a filmmaker and nut farmer in the southern Catskills. His web series, WOODLANDERS, documents woodland culture, food and craft.
Ellie Stover bases her photography in nature and the human spirit. She's drawn to temporary moments in the woods, whether it be unique lighting or a fruiting body of fungi emerging. Her portraits are immersive within the natural environment. She has captured many dirrerent landscapes in Colorado, Washington, Wyoming and Oregon, but has returned to her true home bse of the Catskills and Hudson Valley.
Support I am incredibly grateful to the Rural and Traditional Artists Fellowship for their belief in me and for making this project possible!*
I am currently seeking opportunities to continue the work of making custom baskets for farms and teaching functional basketry to farmers. Please reach out if you have ideas on aligned institutions or funding avenues to continue this work!
Funding for this project is made possible with support from the New York State Council on the Arts,with support from the Governor’s office and the New York Legislature.