Julia Marden

Julia Marden is a member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe who specializes in a wide array of Eastern Woodland traditional art, with a focus on twining–the world’s oldest basket weaving technique. Her primary twined creations include 17th-century-style twined baskets, flat and round bags, mats, burden straps, sashes, and leg garter sets. These pieces are crafted using materials that are historically significant and carefully chosen for their connection to the natural landscape, such as cattail, bulrush, cedar bark, basswood, sweetgrass, as well as modern materials like cotton, hemp, and linen. In addition to weaving, she has a large body of work in other forms of Eastern Woodland artistry, including painting and regalia making.

A resident of South Ryegate, Vermont, Julia’s heart and work remain deeply connected to the Aquinnah Wampanoag community on Martha's Vineyard Island, Massachusetts. In addition to her personal artistic endeavors she also operates Bluejays Visions, a business dedicated to producing and selling high-quality art that faithfully reflects her community’s traditions. Through offering workshops and demonstrations, Julia ensures that traditional ways of making are not only remembered but actively practiced by peers, elders, and youth alike.