Clara Clayton Gough

Clara Clayton Gough was born in Cherry Brook, Halifax County, and grew up in East Preston, where she still resides today. She carries on the ribbed basket weaving tradition of her family, members of whom have made and sold baskets in Halifax markets since the War of 1812. Clayton Gough began weaving baskets at the age of eight years, learning from her mother the late renown artisan Edith Clayton and grandmother, the late Selena Drummond. Though strongly influenced by her mother’s technique of basket weaving and its significant role within Afro-Canadian culture, Clayton-Gough has developed her own unique style, which is evident in the basketry and sculptures she creates. In addition to making baskets, she repairs offering baskets for various churches in the historical Black Communities. In early 2024, Clara and her family sat down with CBC associate producer Diane Campbell to film “Being Black in Canada,” a series of mini documentaries, featuring a talk about the baskets and the importance of it to the family and carrying on the tradition.