John Seevers

John Seevers creates highly decorated pine needle baskets. He uses pine needles from longleaf pines and coats the baskets with shellac. His embellishments include stones, beads, found objects, and Tenerife weaving.

He became interested in coiled baskets after seeing an exhibit at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in 1975 and began collecting baskets. In 2004, after moving to Florida, a neighbor introduced him to someone who made pine needle baskets. He then learned the basics at the Weeki Wachee Senior Center. Pine needle basket making is a Seminole craft, and the longleaf pine used in the baskets grows only in North Carolina.

Seevers has exhibited his work in several shows, notably the Annual Fine Arts Show in Estero, Florida. His baskets have also been sold in museum gift shops and galleries in places including St. Petersburg, La Conner, and Bellingham. He currently exhibits at Images Art Gallery in downtown Overland Park.