For the past 15 years, Alice Fae Weiland has been the heart and soul of the basketry program at the Extension Community Arts Center. A master basket maker, teacher, and community leader, Alice has dedicated thousands of hours to preserving and sharing the timeless art of basket weaving with people of all ages across the county and region—entirely as a volunteer.

Alice’s impact is profound. Through the Extension Community Arts program, she has led basket classes not only at the Extension Offices but also in local schools, universities, and libraries bringing the craft directly into the hands of eager learners wherever they may be. Her classes, workshops, and monthly basket group meetings have been open to all, with no charge for her instruction or time. This generous spirit has allowed the Community Arts program to only charge for materials for basket classes—keeping costs at an average of just $30 per class, compared to the typical $120 cost elsewhere.

Over 15 years, The Community Arts program has offered an average of six paid basket classes annually. This affordability has generated a total savings of over $8,100 for participants, making the art form far more accessible and inclusive for the community. Alice Fae’s impact isn’t just measured in dollars—it’s seen in the thousands of lives she’s touched and in the growing number of new basketry artists she’s inspired and nurtured.

Through her patient instruction and deep knowledge, Alice has not only taught a craft—she has mentored others to become masters themselves. Her passion for the art form is infectious, and her dream of keeping basket making alive is now shared by a thriving network of artisans who carry on her legacy.

This success has been made possible through the meaningful collaboration and strong relationship between Alice and the Extension Community Arts Agent. Together, they have built a program rooted in accessibility, education, and cultural preservation. Their partnership has been a model of how community engagement and shared vision can breathe life into traditional arts and ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come.

In a time when traditional crafts are fading, Alice Fae Weiland stands as a shining example of how one person’s commitment—paired with a supportive community framework—can preserve a cultural tradition, enrich a community, and weave together generations through the simple, powerful act of making something by hand.