Tickets are available now for the NHA’s August 14 fundraiser to support the island craft of Nantucket lightship baskets: Baskets & Bubbly. This festive Celebration Under the Whale in the Whaling Museum features a stunning selection of baskets, basket jewelry, and basket-related items that guests may bid on in the silent auction, as they enjoy hors d’oeuvres and, of course, bubbly! The online auction providing bidders with the exclusive opportunity to bid on baskets and basket-related items starts on August 3 and ends August 14.
Sandie Owens is co-chair of the event this year with Karen Butler who is co-chair for her fourth year. “A Nantucket lightship basket, no two exactly alike, reflects the creativity and ingenuity of the person who made it. We invite you to attend the Baskets & Bubbly Celebration Under the Whale and encourage those who own a Nantucket lightship basket to carry it on your arm to share with all at this event. This annual tradition of an informal basket parade has been ongoing for many years at this event. We will look forward to seeing everyone at the celebration and placing bids online for a basket item to treasure,” the co-chairs explained.
Tickets for the Baskets & Bubbly Celebration Under the Whale can be purchased at nha.org.
The Nantucket Historical Association is committed to preserving the Nantucket lightship basket craft by enhancing the permanent lightship basket collection, displaying exhibitions, and teaching children and adults the art form. Baskets & Bubbly supports the Nantucket Lightship Basket Fund at the NHA, which is used solely to carry out this mission and share the history of Nantucket lightship baskets.
The Nantucket Lightship Baskets exhibit in the Hadwen House on upper Main Street traces the development of Nantucket lightship baskets from their 19-century origins to the diverse traditional and experimental forms created by the island’s weavers today. It highlights individual makers across time and feature the José Reyes workshop and a special case displaying the many basket purse designs he invented before settling on the iconic form still prized by collectors today. The NHA’s Decorative Arts program offers basket-themed workshops for youth and adults; check out a calendar of workshops here.
The Nantucket Historical Association is committed to preserving the iconic Nantucket lightship basket craft by enhancing the permanent lightship basket collection, displaying exhibitions, and teaching children and adults the art form. The Nantucket Lightship Basket Fund at the NHA is used solely to carry out this mission and share the history of Nantucket Lightship baskets.