Beginner Basketry Take & Create Kits Available at ALS Libraries August 1-30, 2025

Mountain Iron, MN, July 7, 2025 – The Arrowhead Library System (ALS) will be providing Beginner Basketry Take & Create Kits for member public libraries to distrib­ute August 1 – 30, 2025.

Learn beginner basketry skills and different stitch techniques to create a small coiled basket in this Take and Create art experience designed by local artist Erika LeMay. Take and Make Kit participants will learn techniques for creating a fiber bas­ket by wrapping flexible material and practicing stitching. Beginner artists will follow along to spiral their baskets outward and upward to complete a functional work of art!

These Take and Make Kits are ap­propriate for adults, teens and chil­dren ages 11 and up. Younger chil­dren can participate with assistance from an adult. All supplies needed to create the baskets are included. An instructional video for the Take and Create Kit will be pro­vided for this art experience.

Kits will be distributed at the following public librar­ies and ALS outreach loca­tions:

Ely Public Library
Grand Marais Public Library
Silver Bay Public Library
Two Harbors Public Library
Arrowhead Library System Bookmobile
Arrowhead Library System Mail-A-Book (*patrons must qualify for Mail-A-Book services, kit may be modified in order to deliver by mail)

This free program is best suited for all ages, but younger children may need help. Please note each location has a limited number of kits – feel free to contact your local library for more information.

Artist Erika LeMay will be part­nering with the Arrowhead Library System for an in-person Colorful Coiled Baskets tour from Septem­ber 2 – October 4, 2025. There will be limited space and supplies avail­able for these programs and inter­ested attendees should contact their library in advance to learn more.

This program, sponsored by Arrowhead Library System, was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. To learn more about Arrowhead Legacy Events, please see our calendar at www.alslib.info  or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alslibinfo.