Whisk Broom Weaving with Abeni Pierson

Get your hands dirty and learn how to weave your own whisk broom with Abeni Pierson in a fun, chill workshop. We’ll begin with an introduction to the primary plant used in traditional broom making, sorghum, including how it’s grown, harvested, prepared for use, and how it made its way to America. We’ll also explore broom-making traditions from cultures within and outside of the United States, highlighting the cultural significance of brooms as objects of labor, ritual, and protection. Participants will learn to weave an Appalachian-style turkey wing broom using pine needles. Then build on those foundational techniques by creating a hawk tail broom, also using pine needles. After completing these two practice brooms, participants may choose to refine their technique by making an additional pine needle mini broom or advance to creating their final project: a traditional broomcorn (sorghum) whisk broom. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with 2-3 completed pine needle mini brooms, one finished broomcorn whisk broom, and the knowledge and confidence to continue exploring the traditional craft of broom making. Broomcorn for future projects will be available for purchase at the end of class.