Audio
Beachy-Amish Mennonites who live in Cold Springs, S.C. (Abbeville County). Sadie is an accomplished quilter.Digital Traditions
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.
Within this Series
Audio
Resident of Parksville, SC (McCormick County). Gilchrist was a schoolteacher from 1921-1975 and started quilting as a youngster. Her grandmother was born into slavery and learned to quilt while she...Audio
William J. Gordy (d. 1993), Georgia Art Pottery, Cartersville, Bartow County. Interview recorded June 1981. Dorris Xerxes "D.X." Gordy (d. 1994), Primrose, Meriwether County. Interview recorded June...Audio
Duncan Pottery, Amory, Monroe County. Interview recorded June 1981. Verna Suggs Duncan assisted her father, William D. Suggs (1878-1945) at his pottery in the town of Smithville in eastern Mississippi...Audio
Carrie Stewart and Gerald Stewart, Louisville, Winston County. Interview recorded June 1981. Gerald Stewart came from a deeply rooted family potting tradition. By 1888, his father Homer Wade Stewart...Audio
Eugene Pottery, Cowpens, Cherokee County. Interview recorded June 2007 as the Folklife Resource Center continues to document pottery traditions in South Carolina. Winton Eugene is a self-taught potter...Audio
Otis Norris, Sandhills Pottery, McBee, Chesterfield County. Interview recorded May 2007. A Kershaw County native, Otis Norris has been turning pots at his current location in Chesterfield County since...Audio
Norman Smith (d. 1990), Lawley, Chilton County. Interview recorded June 1981. Norman Smith began working in the family pottery in 1920 and opened his own shop in 1932 a few miles away. Arguably one of...Audio
Marie Gooden Rogers, Rogers Pottery, Meansville, Upson County. Interview recorded June 1981. Marie Gooden married into a potting family and was given informal instruction in shop operations and the...Audio
Matthews Pottery, Matthews, Mecklenburg County. Interview recorded 9 July 1981. The Outens had been in the pottery business since the 1870s, working in both North and South Carolina. Kenneth Outen...