Massive folk art addition debuts at State Museum

Largest documented sweetgrass basket on exhibit

SCSM guests seeing “Big Percy” for the first time. Courtesy of the South Carolina State Museum.

This week, the South Carolina State Museum unveiled its latest acquisition: “Big Percy,” a sweetgrass basket made by renowned Gullah Geechee artist Corey Alston from Mount Pleasant.

This extraordinary piece not only enhances the museum’s folk and traditional art collection but also marks a significant step in preserving and showcasing the ongoing legacy of Gullah craftsmanship in the 21st century.

Corey Alston at the “Big Percy” press conference. Courtesy of the South Carolina State Museum.

“I want the culture to love this, I want all of the matriarchs of the art form and the younger generation coming to see it to enjoy,” Alston said. “This is one of the proudest pieces of my career and will always have a special place in my heart.”

A fifth-generation basket weaver born and raised in the South Carolina Lowcountry, Alston is a direct descendant of enslaved Africans who helped shape the region’s unique cultural identity. His work continues the centuries-old tradition of sweetgrass basket weaving—a sacred and skilled artform passed down through generations. Mentored by legendary weaver Mary Jackson, Alston has emerged as one of the most respected stewards of Gullah Geechee heritage today.

Alston’s baskets have been commissioned by institutions including the Smithsonian, the Duke Endowment, the Charleston Visitors Center, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, and most recently, the International African American Museum. By acquiring this new work, the State Museum reaffirms its commitment to celebrating contemporary artists whose roots and influence run deep in South Carolina.

While the museum already holds a significant collection of traditional sweetgrass baskets, very few pieces reflect the work of living artists actively shaping the craft. Alston, who still operates a family-run basket stand at Charleston City Market, represents the rare contemporary artist whose practice is both anchored in history and evolving through bold new expressions.

Big Percy represents the museum’s commitment to preserving and elevating the stories that define our state. It’s also a powerful part of the museum’s Reimagine the Experience journey, which is multi-phase initiative that is currently transforming the museum into a leader in education, history, art and culture.

The basket is currently on display.

Big Percy inside of the museum’s From the Vault: South Carolina Art from the Museum’s Collection located in the Lipscomb Art Gallery. Courtesy of the South Carolina State Museum. Click image to enlarge.