Self-taught SC: An Ethological & Artistic Survey: Fly by night: a pit stop at the Broom Place

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Fly by night: a pit stop at the Broom Place

Today Boykin, South Carolina stands as a small community located between Camden and Sumter on SC highway 521. Known for the mill that came in 1792 not much seems to have changed in the year leading up to the present. But this sleepy hollow found along a bend in the road was our next stop. Energized from our successful time in Bishopville we decided to take the general-idea directions we had and seek out the “broom factory” there.

The Broom Place of Boykin Mill (photo by Krista Jones)

Being the location of an old mill, it’s not surprising to find that corn still seems to be a big part of the area we visited. In fact at the Boykin Mill Farms, a collection of shops and restaurants built on the historic Battle of Boykin Mill site, still houses and operates a 100 year old mill that is boasted to grind the best grits in the area. And well shucks with all that corn around you are bound to find plenty of hulls and fibers; but what to do with them? Our next folk artist found the answer to that in brooms.

Historic sign marking Boykin Mill (photo by http://www.boykinmillfarms.com/gallery/battle_2.jpg)

Susan Simpson, housed in a restored 1740s settler’s home, has been taking broomcorn and making hand crafted brooms to sell in the area for years. Ok so broomcorn isn’t really made from corn plants but it is great for dying and weaving which is exactly what Simpson does. Using antique machinery, her creations come in red, green, blue and yellow and take the form of a wide variety of broom types ranging from small brooms for the hearth to large household brooms. After the broom base is woven it is sewn to a specialized, carved handle where it is ready for use.

Chairs on the porch of the Broom Place (photo by Krista Jones)

Unfortunately due some confusion about the name of the place and where it was, Krista and I arrived at the Broom Place too late to talk to Simpson. However, we do plan on making another pit stop there and see the creation that we have heard sweep away the competition. We would also encourage others to check her out at Boykin Mill Farms, 82 Boykin Mill Road, Boykin SC 29128. Hours are from Tuesday – Friday, 10:30am – 5:00pm and Saturday 10:30 - 2:00pm but make sure to call ahead on Saturdays to make sure she’ll be there. The Broom Place’s phone number is 803.425.0933. Also feel free to check out their website at http://www.boykinmillfarms.com/broom.asp.

Until next time,
-Nathan

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Project Description

During our January Interim semester at Wofford College, Krista Jones and myself will facilitate the documentation of self-taught artists across the state of South Carolina. Our goal in doing so is to improve our state's artistic representation as well as educate others about our cultural heritage. Throughout the month we will visit individual artists and their works. With each site explored we will provide valuable information concerning the artist, the work itself, materials used, and the inspiration/influence/motivation behind the piece. Our results will then be reviewed and complied into a cohesive form where they can then be shared through our ongoing research blog that shall be maintained throughout the month.

Beyond our project, our work will also supply additional resources to the on-campus Self-taught Artist studio Interim, demonstrating to our peers both the presence and role of Self-taught art in South Carolina. In addition, we will share our findings with the Detour Art data-base (www.detourart.com) as an outreach tool.

What is Self-taught art?

Self-taught art, commonly referred to as Folk art, is a self-motivated artistic expression. This style of work expresses itself as a global phenomenon with each manifestation unique to its particular area. Unlike a fine artist who has been trained in various techniques, self-taught artists are not trained professionals. They rely solely upon the experiences in their own lives as well as cultural influences to create works. Thus, these untrained eyes create pieces that reflect themselves and their region in ways trained artists cannot. Supplies used are not those found in an art store, but are everyday materials that come together in a fantastic culmination that ends as a direct product and reflection of themselves, their livelihood, and how they view the world through the cultural lenses of their environment.