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Artisans
Still Exist
In Manatee

A year-long exhibit which opened on Saturday
displays four folk crafts characteristic of life
in Manatee County from the 1880s-1920s.

Above, L to R, Robert Ireland, Denise Shields, Carolyn Phillips,
Mary Ward, founder of Manatee River Pottery, holding the jug
on her shoulder and Mr.Cames. (Photo courtesy Manatee
County Historical Library, Circa 1918)

MANATEE COUNTY, Florida [NMT] -- "Come 'Sit a Spell' and join us to examine popular folk crafting techniques from Florida’s pioneer days,” beckons Phaedra Rehorn, Education Coordinator for a new Folk Craft exhibit that opened on Saturday, August 28th, at Manatee Village Historical Park. Four craft processes are featured in the Park’s museum on the second floor of the 1903 Wiggins General Store: cane weaving, saddle making, quilting and pottery making.

Above, Earl Baker, of Parrish, practices
his craft of cane weaving

Featured crafters include: Earl Baker of Parrish (cane weaving) and Bethany Allen Ford of Myakka (saddle-making). Early artisans, employees from Manatee River Pottery (later Graack Pottery), formed the pottery on display and various area craftspersons, their names signed in embroidery, created quilts on display.

Manatee Village Historical Park is located at 1404 Manatee Avenue East, (State Road 64) approximately 5 miles from Exit 220 on I-75. Admission and parking are free. The Park is wheelchair accessible in most areas. The Park is open to the public Monday through Friday and the second and fourth Saturdays of each month: 9 am – 4:30 pm.

What You Will See

Cane Weaving -- Cane woven furniture was popular in the homes of settlers to the Manatee area. Though there are numerous styles of cane weaving, this exhibit focuses on the six-step method, which is the design most people envision when they hear the term“caning.” Craftsman Earl Baker uses an unusual variation of the six-step method, which is how he learned. Earl has made it possible for visitors to see the cane weaving process come together, step by step, by providing chairs in various stages of construction.

Saddle Making -- The cattle industry was paramount in the settlement of the Manatee area, and the cow hunter’s most trusty piece of equipment was their saddle. Saddle crafting has evolved since its beginning in the third century A.D. Today’s saddle, known as the Western saddle, has become a canvas for saddle makers to express their talent and creativity in leather. The saddles in our exhibit range from a purely utilitarian military issue saddle, used by a cattle pioneer, to a custom made work of art. Saddles on permanent display feature a McLellan Saddle, over 100 years old, used by cattle Pioneer Morgan Johnson. Visitors can see and appreciate an example of a modern hand-crafted saddle constructed by local pioneer crafts enthusiast, Bethany Allen Ford, along with images of the saddle crafting process.

Ward-Graack Pottery -- Some area readers may have a piece of Ward-Graack pottery stored in their attic. It was one of Florida’s first souvenirs. It all began in 1914 when Mary Ward started the Manatee River Pottery in her home. Soft clay, of a peach-pink hue, was extracted from the Manatee River bottom. It was transported by mule to her home, where her children would press it through fine screens in their bare feet to remove impurities. After pots were formed, dried and kiln-fired, local artists painted the unglazed surfaces with scenes depicting Florida plants and wildlife. In 1915, Manatee River Pottery was incorporated and moved into a studio/showcase at the corner of Manatee Avenue and 26th Street West. The business was purchased in 1921 by Henry Graack, Sr., & his son, who began promoting the pottery nationally from New York City, while production continued in Braidentown.

Last but not least: The Quilts -- Sixteen colorful quilts from the Manatee Village Historical Park’s permanent collection will grace the museum’s hallway and galleries. Two of the quilts on display were made by local women’s fellowship groups and are “signed” in embroidery by the many women who collaborated to make the quilts. The others are from various, and in some cases unknown, crafters. One, a Crazy Quilt crafted in 1917, includes documentation telling a touching story about a child, loss and the comfort the quilt provided. Another quilt is made up of depictions of local businesses and their notable images, and yet another is appliquéd with a collection of tiny handprints from local children. Quilts are a wonderful example of how resourcefulness and necessity are combined to make objects of beauty. Visitors will see a wide variety of quilting designs on display, and learn about the steps and materials involved in constructing quilts.

The show is sponsored by R.B. “Chips” Shore, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller and the Manatee County Historical Commission.

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