Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Carol Welch

  • wcu_cherokee_traditions-528.jp2
  • This undated photograph is of Cherokee basket weaver Carol Welch with examples of her baskets. These baskets are white oak, but woven utilizing the rivercane technique. Carol Smith Welch (b. 1940) was the daughter of Helen Bradley Smith (1922-2007), who was also an accomplished Cherokee basket weaver. Welch's aunt, Eva Bradley, was also a basket weaver. Welch learned to weave white oak baskets by watching her mother and later learned to weave rivercane and honeysuckle baskets from Lottie Stamper in school basketry classes. While at school, she also learned the double weave method of making rivercane baskets and, later, became Lottie Stamper's assistant. Her husband, Davis Welch, is a master mask maker. Welch lives in the Big Cove Community of the Qualla Indian Boundary, North Carolina. The photographer's name is unknown.