Joanna E. Schanz facts for kids

Joanna E. Schanz, born in 1942, is a famous American artist. She is known for her amazing basket weaving. She helped bring back two old crafts in the Amana Colonies: making brooms and weaving baskets.

Joanna wrote a book called Willow Basketry of the Amana Colonies in 1986. She wrote it to honor Philip Dickel, who taught her how to weave baskets. She also won a special award called the Lifetime Achievement Award for her basketry. One of her beautiful willow baskets is even kept in the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Early Life and Moving to Amana

Joanna Schanz was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1942. When she was 18, she married her husband, Norman. In 1961, they moved to West Amana, Iowa. This village is part of the historic Amana Colonies.

They later had four children. At that time, some older people in Amana were careful around new people. So, Joanna worked hard to become part of the community. She got a job at a local restaurant. She also joined in school activities to connect with her new neighbors.

Bringing Back Old Crafts

Joanna became interested in Amana folk art after getting a special broom. This broom was made to last a very long time. A blind man named Phillip Graesser made it. He was one of the last people in Amana who knew how to make these brooms.

Reviving Broom Making

After Phillip Graesser retired, Joanna and Norman received his broom-making machine. They opened a shop called Broom and Basket in West Amana. They hired retired workers to make brooms using the machine. This helped bring the old Amana craft of broom making back to life.

Learning Basket Weaving

In the 1970s, Joanna wanted to learn how to weave willow baskets. She asked Philip Dickel, who was the last Amana basket weaver. Dickel showed Joanna how to make baskets in 1977.

Philip Dickel later worked at the Amana Woolen Mill. He also worked as a night watchman at Amana Corporation. He passed away in 1981. Joanna always remembers Dickel's help in bringing back Amana basket making.

Teaching and Unique Baskets

Joanna taught other people how to weave baskets. She taught at her store and at big national events. She uses willow to weave her baskets. Sometimes she grows the willow herself. Other times, she imports it from England and Belgium.

She also uses other plants like dogwood, lilac, honeysuckle, mock orange, and mulberry. Her baskets last a long time. This is because their bottom rims can be removed and replaced if they wear out. Her shop closed in 2020.

Achievements and Recognition

Joanna Schanz has taught many people how to weave baskets. She did this as part of the Amana Arts Guild. In 1986, she wrote her book, Willow Basketry of the Amana Colonies. She wrote it to honor Philip Dickel, who was her teacher.

In 2019, Joanna won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Basketry Organization. This award was for her amazing basket weaving. It was also for her work with the Philip Dickel Basket Museum. One of her beautiful willow baskets is kept at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It is a special piece of art, but it is not currently on public display.