Micah Wiles

Micah Wiles (he/him) of Pulaski County, Kentucky, is a basketmaker specializing in split white oak basketry. He began making baskets as a college student and has gradually learned to work with various materials—from bittersweet vine, to split oak, to willow, to traditional Romanian split hazel—and weave many styles, from egg baskets to pack baskets. “I find that learning different styles and materials helps you to become a better basket maker,” Micah says.

“Sourcing materials locally is very important to me,” Micah explains, as he describes the practice of selecting a tree, splitting it into sections, and preparing them for weaving. “Even though there are hours of work involved just to get your weavers ready, I would much rather go through this process than order reed or rattan from another continent.”

Micah works on his family’s land, Cedar Creek Farm, in Somerset, Kentucky. He often teaches workshops there on sustainable lifeways such as mushroom cultivation, rotational cattle grazing, hide tanning, and fermentation. With his Emerging Traditional Artists Program award, Micah hopes to take classes with white oak basketmakers Sue Williams (2019 In These Mountains Folk & Traditional Arts Master Artist Fellowship recipient) and Billy Ray Sims.

Reflecting on his future as a basketmaker, Micah says, “There are very few white oak basket weavers around today, and while they are still teaching, I have not seen very many younger people taking up the craft... I think it is important in preserving craft to be able to keep traditions alive, but also to be able to adapt those traditions to modern circumstances.”