Media Release:
Cherokee Basket Weaver Peggy Sanders Brennan Featured in “Red Earth Presents” Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 5, 2005

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, U.S.A. – Cherokee basket weaver Peggy Sanders Brennan will demonstrate and discuss her craft at Red Earth Museum’s November 20 “Red Earth Presents” session, held at 3:00 p.m. at the Red Earth Museum.

An experienced teacher and accomplished weaver, Peggy Sanders Brennan is widely recognized for her knowledge of, and expertise with, traditional patterns, as well as her efforts to pass along this important tradition. Though building on traditional twill patterns that emphasize zigzags and diamond shapes, the artist in Brennan adds her own inspiration and art to the process, creating distinctive original designs. She says of her work, “Creating baskets and teaching the old designs is my way of living.” Through her art, she reflects, she maintains her connection with the Earth, all her Relations, and the Great Mystery. “It is said that our baskets embody our joys, sorrows, dreams, ideals, and longings for beauty,” she explains.

Basket weaving is an important tradition, and had special meaning to the Cherokee, who continue to utilize some of the oldest types of basket design in the Southeast. Traditionally, Cherokee women wove into their baskets plant materials from their area, and depicted animals and other images from life around them. Each clan had its own distinct pattern, and basket weaving played an important role in women’s traditional daily activities among the Cherokee.

This November 20 event, one of Red Earth’s contributions to activities during Native American Heritage Month, is part of a series of monthly performances and demonstrations at the Red Earth Museum.

The Red Earth Museum is located at the Omniplex (second floor), at 2100 NE 52nd Street, Oklahoma City. Admission is free once inside the Omniplex (Red Earth members enter the Omniplex without charge). For more information about this performance, this series, or Red Earth, Inc., contact Vicki Sykes at Red Earth (tel. 405-427-5228 or vsykes@redearth.org).

Red Earth, Inc., is an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and promulgating the rich traditions of American Indian history and cultures. Formed in 1978, Red Earth accomplishes this by operating the annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival, the Red Earth Museum, and year-round educational programs that share the historical and living diversity of American Indian art, dance, music, and literature.