Pacific Weave

Joan Carrigan is a basket maker and basketry teacher who has lived on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia for over 29 years. 

In the summer of 2023, I reached out to Joan with an idea for a documentary that would capture her passion for basketry. After weeks of planning, I finally met Joan on Salt Spring Island in early August. Over the next three days, she took me on an unforgettable journey, showing me how she sustainably harvests natural materials from locations around the island and weaves them into beautiful baskets. 

As we walked along the island's rugged coastline and through its lush forests, Joan shared stories about her life's work. She told me about her inspirational trip to the Southern Pacific Island, which sparked her love for basketry, and how her curiosity led her to attend a decisive basket conference in Toronto, where she met her mentor. Joan described her radical move to the West Coast of Canada, where she discovered another passion: teaching others the art of basketry.

Joan's dedication to basketry was evident in every aspect of our time together. But more importantly, her passion for teaching and transmitting her knowledge to new generations was truly inspiring. And I'll share one more thing. As Joan and I were talking about the documentary and how it should emphasize the importance of teaching, Joan shared a thought from her friend Alexander Montgomery: "Not all artists are good teachers, and Joan has the rare ability to teach and create. It's something to celebrate."

I left Salt Spring Island with a newfound appreciation for the art of basketry and a deep respect for the skill and creativity of artists like Joan.

You can find more about Joan’s work and workshop here: http://joancarrigan.com