Barbara Wyre

LOCAL ARTIST

Visual Arts

Barbara with husband Robbie
( holding her very first basket!)

Barbara Wyre became interested in Art very early, in elementary school. Not tied to any specific medium, she is experienced in wood, clay, watercolors, and oil paint. She delights in making nice looking functional things to share and enjoy.

She studied Home Economics and Art at Chico State and Cal Poly. For a while she made a living by sewing and had a little ceramic studio. Soon thereafter, Barbara and husband Robbie opened a small business called "Bits and Pieces" making and selling pottery, beaded and brass jewelry, and batik and tye-dye clothing.

More recently, basketmaking has become a favorite of Barbara's. She has enjoyed participating in the ARTS ALIVE program, sharing her knowledge and techniques in the classroom. Barbara would love to share her skills with a willing child (or adult). 983-6702

Barbara's first basket was made from wild grapevines that she and her daughter Genie collected outside around her home. Another project was making a potato basket for Steve and Gloria Decater. Barbara used little branches she collected from a willow tree in the Decater's yard.

Along with her Basketmaking, Barbara has also enjoyed working with cement and making hand shaped planters for her flower garden. Some of her planters are round and organically shaped and some are square and rectangular with smoother surfaces. Both designs offer a beautiful and natural setting to the flowers they hold.

Below: Barbara basketmaking in the classroom with Nancy Fischer, who has also played an active role in the ARTS ALIVE program.

Also shown here is a birdhouse that Barbara made out of collected branches, stones, and old driftwood.