Dona Look

Dona Look is a basket maker who works in Algoma, Wisconsin where she lives with her husband Ken Loeber and their son Reid Loeber. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh in 1970.

She collects the bark from the region’s birch trees, uses it to weave her baskets and sews them together with silk thread. She has exhibited her work at the American Craft Council fairs for over 20 years with her husband, Ken Loeber.

Dona Look learned to sew as a child and developed a passion for spinning and weaving while teaching in Australia. She has continued to sew and weave using primarily white birch bark since 1980.  She believes in the importance of preserving the environment and uses natural white birch from harvesting forests in her baskets to promote this message. The lighter bark is from the exterior of the tree and the darker colored bark is from the interior. This process of gathering and preparing materials guides her in understanding the appropriate use of bark from each tree.  Each basket is part of a continuous learning process using bark as fiber and fabric. Her designs reflect Scandinavian design influences.

Dona has also collaborated with Loeber designing and making jewelry for over 28 years. Dona Look and Loeber were featured CRAFT IN AMERICA (a PBS series) in Part 3, Community.

Look’s honors include a United States Artists Windgate Fellowship, 2009; Best of Show, American Craft Expo, Evanston, IL.  2003; National Endowment for the Arts, Visual Arts Fellowship, 1988; National Endowment for the Arts,  Arts Midwest Fellowship, 1987; American Craft Museum Design Award, 1985; Purchase Award, Philadelphia Craft Show, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1984 and Best of Show, Smithsonian Craft Show, Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, DC. 1984.

Her work is represented in the collections of the American Craft Museum, Asheville Art Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Arkansas Arts Center, Erie Art Museum, and the White House Collection.

[Source: Museum Staff]