The Association of Michigan Basketmakers was founded in 1981 to develop and perpetuate the art of basketry.  AMB membership includes more than 900 individuals from the United States in addition to Canada, Japan, and Russia.  AMB members represent a diverse range of experiences and skills. They create basketry from a wide variety of materials including reed, barks, wood splints, cane, waxed linen, beads, and gathered natural materials. Many members gather annually to learn new techniques and to meet old friends at the AMB Annual Convention and/or Spring Event.

Annual Convention:

Every autumn hundreds of AMB members gather at the Annual Convention.  This five-day event brings together basketmakers of every level to share techniques, to marvel at each other's talents, and to promote the art of basketry.  The AMB Annual Convention is one of the largest basketmaking gathering in the United States with more than 400 attendees and visitors each year. 

Although the public is welcome to browse through the exhibit room and to shop with vendors, most other convention activities, including workshops, are limited to registered participants.  If you would like registration information and are not a current AMB member, please contact the AMB membership chair.

Plan to attend these future AMB Annual Conventions:

• 2009: October 20-25 at McCamly Plaza Hotel, Battle Creek Sharon McElroy and Carol Zeller coordinators
• 2010: October 20-24 at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids Juanita Elkins and Leslie Spurrier coordinators.
• 2011: October 12-16 at  Causeway Bay, Lansing

Spring Event:

Each spring a smaller version of the Annual Convention is offered at different locations in Michigan.  Spring Event is coordinated by an AMB-affiliated guild and typically features up to ten instructors and 30 classes.  

The AMB Board welcomes guilds interested in learning more about hosting Spring Event to contact the Vice President for Community Affairs.