Member Directory
Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi Members
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About Us
We are makers on a mission to preserve and promote, educate and encourage, the highest standard of excellence in regional crafts.
The work of our Members reflects a high degree of competence, professional standards, and artistry in their medium and category. Eligibility is determined by a jury review process which takes place twice each year.
Bessie Johnson
Bessie Johnson
West Point, MS
Mixed Media
Sculpture
Guild member since 2016
Bessie’s baskets have been praised for their remarkable symmetry, beauty, and innovative style. Her achievements as a craftsman and designer of basketry has brought her increasing distinction and prominence. For many years, Bessie has woven a rich heritage with a contemporary artistic vision to create her own unique art form using pine needles, gourds, corn shucks, china berries, and black walnuts. Her use of china berries gained national attention when she was asked to design and make the ornaments for the 1994 Mississippi Christmas tree in the circle of trees surrounding the taller United States tree displayed at the White House. Bessie considers her basketry to be artistic like her forefathers, as much as family’s legacy as any genetic inheritance.