Audio
Nathaniel Washington talks about wetting the wood splits.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
Mary Jane Bennett talks about ancestry and heritage.Audio
Resident of St. Helena Island, SC (Beaufort County). His father, George Brown, taught basketmaking at the Penn School on St. Helena Island in the early 20th Century. The school was founded in the...Audio
Quilter from McCormick, SC (McCormick County). Mursier's favorite pattern is a string square she named "String Albert." Mursier pays special attention to the size of the stitching in her quilts, so...Audio
Beachy-Amish Mennonites who live in Cold Springs, S.C. (Abbeville County). Sadie is an accomplished quilter. How the Beachy-Amish Mennonites differ from the mainstream Amish.Audio
Resident of Parksville, S.C. (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
Wayne Wilson, Wilson Pottery, Lula, Banks County. Interview recorded June 1981. Wayne Wilson is the son of Hallie A. Wilson, who was trained in the pottery shop of Maryland Hewell and in the nearby...Audio
Wayne Wilson, Wilson Pottery, Lula, Banks County. Interview recorded June 1981. Wayne Wilson is the son of Hallie A. Wilson, who was trained in the pottery shop of Maryland Hewell and in the nearby...Photo
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...