Smiling faces, beautiful places... and beautiful baskets: exploring the tradition of sweetgrass basket weaving

Our search for folk artists has led us around the state and given us the opportunity to meet some very interesting individuals.  Up until this point, all have been self-taught in some form or fashion, taking up the artist mantle for a variety of different personal reasons which motivated them to start their work.  Our next group of artists differs somewhat in that they are not “self-taught” in the strictest sense but, all the same, remain one of the most well preserved folk art traditions of the Palmetto State.  This art form of course is sweetgrass basket weaving.

Front of Corey Alston's Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets stand (photo from Alston's Facebook)

After our trip to the Upstate, and a quick debriefing session at our home base of Wofford College, Krista and I set off for the live oaks, Spanish moss, warm weather and smell of pluff mud that is the Lowcounty of our fine state.  Based out of James Island, Krista used some family connections through the owner/operators of Black Cat Tours, Mark Jones and Rebel Sinclair at http://www.blackcattours.com/aboutblackcat.html, to line us up with the best sweetgrass weavers in the state from Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets. 

Sample of Gullah Sweetgrass Basket's work (photo from Alston's Facebook)

 The art form of sweetgrass basket weaving has been alive and well in the Lowcountry since the beginning of the rice plantation.  At the time rice remained one of the state’s highest commodities and thus rice farmers were highly prized.  Because of this, slaves from rice-growing West Africa where sought after and concentrated along the semi-tropical coast of our state.  This concentrated group then shared many cultural similarities through their native regionalism that eventually lead to the formation of a distinct group and culture known as Gullah.  Of the many African American groups that came to our country the Gullah remain possibly the best at preserving their African heritage and traditions, of which includes the sweetgrass baskets.

Variety of handled baskets for sell at Alston's Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets (photo from Alston's Facebook)

Traditionally these baskets originated as tools where form met function.  The large flat base of the “Rice Fanning” style basket was used to clean and whittle rice.  They also made practical creations that ranged in uses from kitchen baskets that hold food and bread to carrying baskets for the market.  These same styles exist today as well as more modern versions that stray away from a strict utilitarian look to something a bit more artsy with loops and elephant-ear turns.  Both styles still use the traditional, and completely natural, materials of sweetgrass, bulrush, long leaf pine needles, and palmetto leaves and are built to last a lifetime or longer.

An old classic with a modern twist (photo from Alston's Facebook)

Over the years the sweetgrass basket has changed from being a mere functional craft to a unique art form found only in the Lowcountry of South Carolina where it has been maintained in the Gullah culture.  Chiefly Mount Pleasant, SC holds the claim for the home of sweetgrass basket making where weavers dot the sides of US Highway 17 in stands where they sell their creations.  There is also a large collection of weavers on Market St. in downtown Charleston.

Bouquet of Palmetto Roses (photo from Alston's Facebook)

It was here that we met weaver Corey Alston of Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets and talked to him about the art.  He told us that women have been keeping the tradition going from slavery to the present, passing the skill down in the only way it can be taught; from parent to child.  Alston himself is part of a five generation legacy to weave baskets.  His grandmother was so accomplished at the art that her work is housed in the Smithsonian Museum.  For Corey personally he feels that as a male weaver he has a duty to carry on a tradition that goes back to the art’s origins in Africa since the first weavers were male. 

Corey Alston at work (photo from Alston's Facebook)

Though not purely self-taught, sweetgrass baskets remain one of our state’s most treasured folk art forms since it is not taught in school and must instead pass from parent to child.  In this way sweetgrass baskets have been proudly preserved for over 300 years as a Gullah tradition.  I would encourage everyone to take a trip down to Charleston, SC and while you are there check out the sweetgrass basket weavers.  If you want the best go see Corey Alston at the front of Market Street, between the twin staircases in front of the Daughters of the Confederacy building.  You can also find him at 7760 Brookdale Blvd., N. Charleston, SC 29418 or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Corey-Alston-Gullah-Sweetgrass-Baskets/295865456703.  He is also available on the web if you want to email him at corey.alston@comcast.net. 

Daughters of the Confederacy building at the top of Market Street, Charleston SC (http://blog.thegourmez.com/?p=1228)

For additional information about the sweetgrassbaskets check out this interview we found on Corey Alston’s Facebook:

Until next time,

-Nathan