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.

 

Within this Series

Sumter Project
Episode 4

Video

From across the room, Sanctuary appears domestic and familiar—a collection of chairs, a birdhouse, a rug and display shelf invite momentary retreat from the gallery. Closer inspection reveals the...
Sumter Project
Episode 5

Video

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...
Working with Gourds | A Natural State
Episode 5

Video

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...
Spotlight
Episode 5

Video

Brian Rust's education, background and the inspiration behind his move to Georgia are covered in this excerpt from State of the Arts. For more information on this production, please contact: Georgia...
Tryon Project
Episode 6

Video

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...
State of the Arts
Episode 6

Video

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...
The Farm | A Natural State
Episode 6

Video

The three most common gourd types in North America are hardshells, ornamentals and luffas. Hardshells have woody, rot-resistant shells that can grow to an inch thick under ideal growing conditions...
Tryon Project
Episode 7

Video

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
Episode 7

Video

The physical qualities of natural materials inform Brian Rust's work. Wood is media that he carves and manipulates to a degree, while still allowing the material to "speak directly" to the viewer...
Lena Braswell's Farm | A Natural State
Episode 7

Video

During the spring, tens of thousands of dried gourds are piled high in front of Lena Braswell's farm in Wrens, Georgia. Artists and crafters come from around the southeast to choose from Braswell's...