Whether on campus or off, we are connected as members of the Arrowmont family. Over the next few weeks, we are going to share stories from our community of instructors, residents, and students in a new series, Arrowmont Connections.
Arrowmont instructor and friend, Billy Ray Sims was born in Sevierville, Tennessee and lives in Camden, Maine where he is a journalist and former editor for WoodenBoat and Cooking Light magazines. He makes baskets on a commission basis, and his work is in many collections including the Smithsonian and the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. Sims’ basketry spans traditional styles from the Gullah baskets of South Carolina to New England Black Ash and Appalachian White Oak.
Billy Ray was recently interviewed by Beth Smith of the National Basketry Organization for the recent Spring 2020 issue of their magazine, Basketry+.
The article describes Billy Ray’s upbringing – close to Arrowmont in East Tennessee.
“Billy Ray Sims grew up in East Tennessee in a family of makers. His parents came of age during the Depression and out of necessity made useful objects for daily living with their hands. The forests in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains were thick with white oak trees and although as a child Sims would never have thought these trees would become his future, it is the tall, young white oak of his early childhood that led to his success as an award-winning basket maker.”
At the time of this interview, Billy Ray was scheduled to teach a weekend workshop at Arrowmont this spring: TRADITIONAL SPLINT WOVEN FISH CREEL OR PURSE BASKET.
Billy Ray said, “Traditional basketry is at the heart of the origins of Arrowmont.”
He describes the work that goes into preparing for this workshop:
“I create molds for the baskets upon which to weave, cutting and splitting oak and black ash trees, milling the cherry lids, leather work, etc, for the class—many, many hours of prep and materials so that students could complete the baskets in a mere three days.”
Download the full Basketry+ article, “The Spirit of Basket Making with Billy Ray Sims,” by clicking here.
Billy Ray Sims’ website: https://billyraysimsbaskets.com/
Connect with Billy Ray –
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @billyrsims
Instagram: @billyrsims
