South Carolina State Museum commissions acclaimed Gullah artist Corey Alston to create sweetgrass masterpiece
October 30, 2025
New commissioned work will honor South Carolina’s Gullah Geechee heritage and expand the museum’s folk and traditional art collection.
The South Carolina State Museum has commissioned renowned Gullah artist and cultural ambassador Corey Alston to create a one-of-a-kind sweetgrass basket for its collection. The piece, set to be completed in February 2026, will serve as a major addition to the museum’s comprehensive art collection and a powerful celebration of Gullah craftsmanship in the 21st century.
“I’m a South Carolinian, to the heart,” said Alston. “I want to do something special for my state. I’m extremely blessed to be chosen to do this, and I’m so thankful to the South Carolina State Museum for choosing me to create this amazing piece. No one will be disappointed with this piece; this is going to be the biggest and most special piece I have ever done in my career.”
Alston shared with museum staff that he plans to create the largest and most dynamic basket of his career as part of this commission; a work he intends to make for the state he proudly calls home.
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 cultural identity. His artistry continues the centuries-old tradition of sweetgrass basket weaving, a sacred and skilled practice passed down through generations. Mentored by legendary weaver Mary Jackson, Alston has become one of the most respected stewards of Gullah Geechee heritage.
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 (IAAM) in Charleston.
By commissioning this new work, the State Museum reaffirms its commitment to supporting contemporary artists whose roots and influence run deep in South Carolina. The acquisition will also add to the museum’s significant collection of traditional sweetgrass baskets, several of which are currently on display inside of From the Vault: South Carolina Art from the Museum’s Collection.
For more information about the South Carolina State Museum and its collections, visit scmuseum.org.
About the South Carolina State Museum
Since opening in 1988, the South Carolina State Museum has been committed to collecting, preserving and showcasing the rich culture, art, natural history, technology and innovation of the Palmetto State. Through a comprehensive collection of over 1.1 million objects and four floors of stimulating exhibitions and displays housed within the historic Columbia Mills Building, the State Museum provides educational environments that entertain, inspire and enrich the lives of millions of visitors and students from across South Carolina. For more information about the museum, visit scmuseum.org.
