The general public is invited to a day of demonstrations, talks and performances related to the traditions of basket weaving. Shop at vendor booths featuring unique Indigenous art, baskets, jewelry and specialty items. 

This FREE community event celebrates Indigenous heritage and basket weaving traditions of the Great Basin. 

*If you are a GBNBA Member or part of the Tribal Community and want to register for workshops, learn more about Threads of Tradition: Tribal Member Day here. 

Threads of Tradition: Celebrating 25 Years of the Great Basin Native Basketweavers is a gathering organized by GBNBA and presented at the Nevada Museum of Art.

Lead Sponsor: Henry Luce Foundation

The general public is invited to a day of demonstrations, talks and performances related to the traditions of Native American basket weaving. Shop at vendor booths featuring unique Indigenous art, baskets, jewelry and specialty items. 

This FREE community event celebrates Indigenous heritage and basket weaving traditions of the Great Basin. Coffee available for purchase by Star Village Coffee. 

MEET ARTIST JUDITH LOWRY | FLOOR 1

11 am – noon

2 – 3 pm 

Book signing in the Theater Lobby 

DEMONSTRATIONS & DISPLAYS | FLOOR 1

10 am – 4 pm

Joey Allen (Northern Paiute)
Tule Duck Decoys

Norma Darrough (Western Shoshone)
Water Jug Demonstration and Display

Roger Ike (Western Shoshone, Te-Moak Tribe)
Western Shoshone Cradleboard

Janice Mendez and Emily Mendez (Paiute)
Dogbane Cordage

Gayleen Roy (Northern Paiute)
Basket Display

Gloria L. Johnnie-Robles (Western Shoshone, Te-Moak Tribe Elko Band | Mexican)
Allen Mike (Western Shoshone, Duckwater Tribe)
Thread Making

Sue Coleman (Washo)
Washoe Basket Display

Lois E. Whitney (Western Shoshone)
Grindstone Demonstration

PERFORMANCES/PRESENTATIONS | FLOOR 1

THEATER:

10:30 am | Opening Ceremony: 

Blessing

Remarks by Norma Darrough, Great Basin Native Basketweavers

Remarks by Ann Wolfe, Nevada Museum of Art 

 Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Pow-Wow Club with Truckee Paiute Singers

11:15 am | Melanie Smokey (Western Shoshone)

Talk: Basketmaking, Plants and the Environment  

12:15 pm | Jay Martin (Western Shoshone and Washoe) 

Talk: Seasonal Materials and Thread

1:30 pm | Film Screenings:

Woven Connections: Plants, Environment, and Native American Basketry
Directed by Jeremiah Sampson (Northern Paiute), Whiterok Pictures

Resilience – Voices of Basketweaving in the Great Basin produced by the @One, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Reno

2:30 pm | Herman Fillmore (Wa·šiw)

Talk: Washoe People and Cultural Practices within their Homelands 

3:15 pm |  Rhiana Jones (Akimel O’Odham/ Wa·šiw Washoe Environmental Protection Department) 

Talk: Cultural Fire Traditions and Contemporary Practice 

VENDOR FAIR | FLOOR 4

10 am – 4 pm

Ben Aleck (Pyramid Lake Paiute)
Original artwork, works on paper, prints

Heidi Barlese (Northern Paiute)
Beadwork, scarves, beads and supplies

Leah Brady (Western Shoshone, Te-Moak Tribe)

Traditional and Contemporary  Baskets and Nature Crafts

Loretta Burden (Northern Paiute/Fallon Shoshone)
Contemporary Baskets

Norma Darrough (Western Shoshone) and Jillian Fillmore (Western Shoshone)
Miniature Baskets

Ramona Darrough (Northern Paiute)
Linda Eben Jones (Northern Paiute)
Beadwork and crafts

Karma Henry (Owens Valley Paiute)
Original artwork

Avanna Lawson (Walker River Paiute)
Original artwork and prints

Jean LaMarr (Northern Paiute| Pit River)
Original artwork and prints

Bhie-Cie Zahn-Nahtzu (Western Shoshone-Washoe)
Handmade skincare and jewelry

Jay Martin (Western Shoshone | Washoe)
Melanie Smokey (Western Shoshone | Washoe)
Sagebrush and medicinal toiletries

Melissa Melero Moose (Northern Paiute)
Original Artwork

Steve Nighthawk (Reno-Sparks Indian Colony)
Original artwork

Jacqueline Rickard (Walker River Paiute)
Baskets and Beaded Baskets

Raelyne Thomas (Pyramid Lake Paiute)
Beadwork

Mervin Wright Jr. (Northern Paiute)
Teresa Wright (Yurok)
Jewelry and original artwork

ON VIEW: EXHIBITIONS | FLOOR 2

10 am – 6 pm

The Art of Judith Lowry
Of the Earth: Native American Baskets and Pueblo Pottery

 

Threads of Tradition: Celebrating 25 Years of the Great Basin Native Basketweavers is a gathering organized by GBNBA and presented at the Nevada Museum of Art.

Lead Sponsor: Henry Luce Foundation

*If you are a GBNBA Member and a registered member of the Tribal Community and would like to register for workshops on April 25, 2026, learn more about Threads of Tradition: Tribal Member Day here. 

A day of basketweaving workshops taught by Native weavers exclusively for Tribal community members. 

This day is only open to Tribal community members ($90 General | $40 Elders). Registrants must be active members of the Great Basin Native Basketweavers Association.  Not a member of GBNBA? Register here or at the event. 

Registration fee covers instructor fees, specialty materials, lunch and buffet dinner. Elders (55+) receive a discounted rate.

Registrants should plan to bring personal supply of basket weaving material: scissors, awl, hand towel, and utility knife or blade. Specialty materials and fiber are provided by the instructor. 

Day-of Schedule: 

8:00am: Arrival and registration

9am: Workshops begin

9am-5pm: Concurrent Workshops (boxed lunch included in price of registration)

Workshops Include: 

• Willow Rattle taught by Norma Darrough | Western Shoshone
• Tule Duck Decoy taught by Joey Allen | Toiticutta
• Willow Boat Basket taught by Melanie Smokey | Western Shoshone
• Miniature Cradle Board (Washoe Style) taught by Jay Martin | Western Shoshone/Washoe 
• Willow Bird Trap taught by Gayleen Roy | Northern Paiute/ Western Shoshone
• Small Winnowing Tray taught by Gloria L. Johnnie-Robles | Western Shoshone, Te-Moak Tribe Elko Band and Mexican
• Seed Beater taught by Leah Brady | Western Shoshone, Dosawee Noowah | White Knife
• Willow Pendant with Redbud Design Work taught by Rebecca L. Eagle | Northern Paiute-Washo/ Shoshone-Bannock
• Small Berry Open Twine Burden Basket taught by Janice and Emily Mendez | Paiute
• and many more! 

Workshops are first come, first served sign-ups at the door. 

5:30-6:30pm: Buffet Dinner (boxed lunches and buffet dinner included in price of registration)

Don’t forget to join us for the Threads of Tradition: Community Day! More information here. 

Threads of Tradition: Celebrating 25 Years of the Great Basin Native Basketweavers Association is a gathering organized by GBNBA and presented at the Nevada Museum of Art.

Lead Sponsor: Henry Luce Foundation

Art writer, activist, and sometimes curator Lucy R. Lippard joins artist Judith Lowry for a powerful discussion on the intersections of feminism, storytelling, and Indigenous identity in contemporary art, exploring how women artists reclaim their voices and cultural narrative to challenge dominant histories. 

This is a virtual program that will be broadcast in the museum’s theater for those who wish to attend in person. 

For those joining us virtually, please click the link below to join: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84877260253?pwd=u7WIJsbnulODfJrKUlNqPbkh8EWw1b.1

Passcode: 298327

Free for Tribal Communities. 

Photo by Carrie Schneider

Meet Judith Lowry and exhibition co-curators Melissa Melero-Moose (Fallon Paiute | Modoc) and Ann M. Wolfe, the Museum’s Andrea and John C. Deane Family Chief Curator and Associate Director, in the gallery for a closing conversation and walkthrough. 

Free with Admission. 

Join legendary broadcaster Peggy Berryhill (Muscogee), the “First Lady of Native Radio,” as she sits down with acclaimed artist Judith Lowry (Mountain Maidu | Pit River | Washoe) for a conversation about the transformative power of storytelling. Drawing from their rich experiences in media and art, they will explore how stories shape identity, preserve cultural heritage, and connect communities across generations. 

Free to Tribal Communities.

Photo by Seve Cardosi

Attend a panel discussion exploring the planet’s oldest tree, the Bristlecone Pine, and its influence on artists and musicians alike. 

The panel will feature Colin Robertson, Charles N. Mathewson Senior Vice President of Education and Research; Laura Jackson, Music Director of the Reno Philharmonic; and composer Marko Bajzer. Musicologist Mark Clague will moderate the discussion.

Join Colin Robertson, Charles N. Mathewson Senior Vice President of Education and Research, for an exciting look into the evolution of education and research at the Museum, highlighting innovative approaches and new opportunities created by the impending opening of the Museum’s expansion. 

This program was initially scheduled to take place on February 13th but was canceled due to inclement weather. It has now been rescheduled to March 12th at 6pm. For any questions or concerns, please contact Nevada Humanities directly at glam@nevadahumanities.org

In recognition of the 83rd anniversary of Japanese American incarceration during World War II, join Nevada Humanities and the Japanese American Citizens League for an evening of conversation about remembrance and the power of stories in the Japanese American community. 

The evening begins with a presentation of audio excerpts from “The Magpie of Heart Mountain” – a 2021 episode from the podcast This Is Love featuring the story of Shigeru Yabu. Yabu was nine when he was incarcerated at Heart Mountain, where he befriended a wild baby magpie whom he named Maggie. The program concludes with a discussion with members of the Japanese American Citizens League moderated by Meredith Oda, Associate Professor of History at the University of Nevada, Reno. 

Photo Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration 

Estelle J. Kelsey Foundation Hands ON! Second Saturdays offers monthly free admission, hands-on art activities, storytelling, a docent-guided tour, live performances, and community collaborations.  “Art Expeditions” provides children the opportunity to engage with Museum staff and take a closer look at current work on view. New exhibitions, community collaborations, guest performances and monthly themes rotate in this engaging series of monthly programs. 

SCHEDULE 

10 am – 6 pm | Free Admission for all Visitors 
10 am – 4 pm | Create your own Paleoart
10 am – 4 pm | Fishing Around
10 am – 2 pm | Uncover Fossils with Discovery Museum 
10 am – 12 pm | Meet Annie Alexander  
10:30 am & 1 pm | Art Expeditions with Bonnie
11 am & 2 pm | Public Tour (adult focus)
11 am & 12:30 pm | Storytime with Monica
12 pm & 1:30 pm | Musica Sierra Presents: Julie Mellon 
2 pm & 3 pm | Storytime with Monica 

Title sponsorship for Hands ON! Second Saturdays is provided by the Estelle J. Kelsey Foundation.