Billy Sims - Not a Showing Artist
Billy has worked as a magazine editor for more than 30 years, currently as Executive Editor of Cooking Light, but he's also kept his hands busy as a craftsman. As a woodworker he's built and restored furniture and wooden boats, including a 32-foot sailboat in which he cruised to and from Bermuda and the Caribbean before moving to Birmingham 13 years ago. His hands now delight in basket making. Billy's focus is on traditional basketry, primarily of white oak, which he harvests and splits himself. But his work also includes baskets of New England black ash and South Carolina sea grass.

Dwight Hostetter - Showing Artist
Dwight Hostetter, an avid woodworking hobbyist, has been involved in woodworking for about 28 years. After seeing and admiring pictures of Nantucket Lightship baskets a few years ago, he decided to give it a try. Dwight’s first basket went to his wife, his second to his mother and before you knew it, he was producing baskets for friends and complete strangers. Dwight has taught one class in Nantucket Lightship Basket making and is in demand to teach more. He makes all the components of his baskets from trees or milled lumber with the exception of the cane weaving and the metal rivets and brads. He even cuts down an occasional white oak tree which is used in the staves, rims and handles of the baskets. The baskets bottoms are usually made out of cherry, but occasionally have been made out of walnut, bubinga and other woods.

Bill & Mary Ann Smith - Showing Artist
Bill and Mary Ann Smith are the resident basketmakers at Tannehill Historical State Park in McCalla, Alabama. They learned the craft of hand split white oak baskets by apprenticing for several years with a master craftsman and continue to learn from other basketmakers. Bill and Mary Ann also teach split oak basketry at John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. Mary maintains a full time studio at home and they have a limited show schedule. Bill and Mary Ann's focus has always been on traditional Appalachian styles and they experiment from time to time by adding embellishments to their pieces. Their work is on display in shops and galleries throughout the southeast.