Edith Clayton, Basketmaker, East Preston, Nova Scotia.
Most black basket weavers live in Preston and Hammond Plains in Nova Scotia. Their work is sold in the Halifax City Market and in the Historic Properties on the Halifax waterfront. Edith Clayton is one of those who continue to keep alive the traditional basketmaking skills of Nova Scotia blacks. Although basketmaking is not a lucrative occupation, weavers like Mrs. Clayton carry on their work because of their pride in the craftsmanship and their desire to keep alive this tradition. For additional information, see the article by Joleen Gordon, "A Sense of the Past, Part I: Nova Scotian basketry traditions," in Canadian Collector (September, 1984), pp. 19-22.
Courtesy: Education Media Services, Nova Scotia Department of Education
