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Digital Traditions

Home to a wealth of folk traditions, South Carolina is culturally and geographically diverse. 

General - Traditional Arts

Home to a wealth of folk traditions, South Carolina is culturally and geographically diverse.  From the Appalachian Mountains to the Sea Islands and from rural crossroads to urban centers, the state boasts rich sources of traditional culture and folklore. Rooted in family and community activities, folklife involves expressive forms of many kinds that are communicated verbally and by observation or imitation.  Folk artists can learn through apprenticeships, but most often are taught informally by family members or close friends. This sharing of information can occur in many different group settings - familial, occupational, religious, social, and educational. Folklife is dynamic by nature, a part of a community's history that continues to develop every day, with every generation.  

Digital Traditions was developed to provide access to the Folklife Resource Center (FRC) at McKissick Museum.  For thirty years, deeply rooted traditions like quilting, pottery, basketry, communal foodways, and folk music have been documented through audio, video, and photography. For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.

Resource Type
Helen Carpenter: Quilting | Digital Traditions

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Grades

  • 3
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Helen Carpenter: Quilting | Digital Traditions
Mrs. Helen Clark Carpenter practices canning and preserving at her home in Edgefield. She learned this tradition from her mother, in her home state of Ohio. She has been canning for over forty years...
Amanda Brown: Quilting | Photos

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Grades

  • 3
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Amanda Brown: Quilting | Photos
Mrs. Amanda Brown is a quilter from Greenwood County. She works both by herself and with a local quilting group. Mrs. Brown learned from helping her mother and has been practicing her art for over...
William & D.X. Gordy | Digital Traditions

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Grades

  • Higher Education
William & D.X. Gordy | Digital Traditions
Episode 3
Son of Georgia potter W.T.B. Gordy (1877-1955), D.X. Gordy took over his father’s shop and gradually moved away from the traditional forms produced by earlier family potters. Gordy retained the...
Wayne Wilson | Digital Traditions

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Grades

  • Higher Education
Wayne Wilson | Digital Traditions
Episode 3
Wayne Wilson is the son of Hallie A. Wilson, who was trained in the pottery shop of Maryland Hewell and in the nearby Holcomb Pottery. In the 1950s, Hallie set up his own pottery shop in Lula, Georgia...
Verna Suggs Duncan Photos | Digital Traditions

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Grades

  • Higher Education
Verna Suggs Duncan Photos | Digital Traditions
Episode 2
Verna Suggs Duncan assisted her father, William D. Suggs (1878-1945) at his pottery in the town of Smithville in eastern Mississippi. After she married Joseph Duncan (1909-1963), her husband learned...