Sandhills | A Natural State

The Sandhills is a band of 100,000 million year old sand dunes and marine deposits stretching diagonally across the state. A sudden drop in elevation marks another unique landscape feature of the region, the Fall Line. This escarpment was created by erosion along the ancient coastline, and is revealed by rocky whitewater rapids along the area's wide, flat rivers. In the early 18th century, rapids at the Fall Line prevented riverboats from traveling farther inland. Colonial settlements rested at the navigable bounds of area rivers. In 1786, the capital city of Columbia was relocated to the central Sandhills area in order to network economic and political interests of the upcountry and lowcountry. In the early 19th century, canals connected upcountry riverboat traffic to lowcountry seaports and the Sandhills area population grew as trade, state government, and the cotton textile industry took root.

Meet artists from the Sandhills area of South Carolina below. Please note many of the web videos include transcripts.  The artists are trained professionals who often use tools not considered safe for inexperienced users. Please review the safety disclaimer.

 

Brian Rust's Earthen Cycle | A Natural State
Brian Rust's Earthen Cycle | A Natural State

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Brian Rust's Earthen Cycle creates visual interest and a place of retreat in an otherwise overlooked stretch of grass connecting two parking lots. A Natural State visited Rust as he installed the site...
Sumter Project - Opening | A Natural State
Sumter Project - Opening | A Natural State

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An art opening invites people to see the debut of artwork in a gallery or museum. Openings invite reviews from the media, and give art-enthusiasts, students and other tough critics a chance to meet...
Earthen Cycle - The Sphere | A Natural State
Earthen Cycle - The Sphere | A Natural State

Video

The spheres of Earthen Cycle are made from a mixture of Portland cement, sand, kaolin and red clay. Layers were gradually built up like a pot. After a layer dried to a semi-soft state, it was shaped...
Tryon Project - Nestbed | A Natural State
Tryon Project - Nestbed | A Natural State

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Nest Bed is tucked into the corner of the "bedroom area" of "Visceral Realities," a temporary installation at the Upstairs Gallery in Tryon, North Carolina. Its bed frame is cushioned with a mattress...
State of the Arts - Process | A Natural State
State of the Arts - Process | A Natural State

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This State of the Arts segment examines Earthen Bridge, an installation created for Clemson's Nature-Based Sculpture Program. The work complements the ephemeral form and rammed earth technique of...
Woodburning Gourds - Step 2 | A Natural State
Woodburning Gourds - Step 2 | A Natural State

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Leslie studies books of illustration and graphic design from around the world and from many eras before beginning a project. After finding inspiration, she pencils in the design on the surface of the...
Tryon Project - Dress Form | A Natural State
Tryon Project - Dress Form | A Natural State

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A dress form provides an occupant for the "bedroom area" of "Visceral Realities," a temporary installation at the Upstairs Gallery in Tryon, North Carolina. The proud object presides over other...
Nature | A Natural State
Nature | A Natural State

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Janet prefers to use materials that "have lived a life," or show signs of age, use and decay. These elements help achieve a sense of harmony between the manmade and natural objects in her work. An...
Working with Gourds | A Natural State
Working with Gourds | A Natural State

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As a trained painter and printmaker, Leslie usually works in two dimensions with various paints and pigments. Though gourds are often painted, Leslie seeks to emphasize the natural textures, colors...