Museum News
Museum Commissions Work by Renowned Gullah Artist Corey Alston
The museum has commissioned acclaimed Gullah artist and cultural ambassador, Corey Alston, to create a sweetgrass masterpiece for its collection. Set to be completed in February 2026, this extraordinary piece will not only enhance 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.
“I’m a South Carolinian, to the heart,” Alston said. “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.”
Alston recently revealed to museum staff that he hopes to create the largest and most dynamic basket of his career for this commissioned work, which he will gift to the state he calls home.
“No one will be disappointed with this piece,” Alston says. “This is going to be the biggest and most special piece I have ever done in my career.”
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 (IAAM). 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. Corey 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.