The 2008 Sweetgrass Cultural Art
Festival, will be held June 6-7 at Laing Middle
School in Mt. Pleasant. The highly anticipated Sweetgrass Festival
will celebrate the rich Gullah/Geechee cultural heritage and provides
the most extensive showcase of sweetgrass baskets in the Lowcountry area.
This year’s event features an assortment of unique handmade arts, crafts and paintings, live performances, and the preview of a new video documentary about sweetgrass basketry. Festival-goers will enjoy two days filled with entertainment that includes gospel songs and praise dance, storytelling and Gullah/Geechee skits, basket-making demonstrations and the Adande African Drummers and Dancers. Visitors will be treated to a variety of authentic Gullah cuisine, classic barbecue, fish, chicken and beverages offered for sale by more than 15 Lowcountry restaurants and food vendors. Children and adults will enjoy family-friendly activities that include clowns, face painting, magical tricks and a disappearing act performed by Houdini the magician.
Publications on Lowcountry Gullah/Geechee history, fiction, and cookbooks will be available for sale as well. Featured authors include Nicole Seitz, artist and author of “The Spirit of Sweetgrass,” and Earl B. Lewis, illustrator of “Circle Unbroken.” African Fabric Artist, Zelda Grant will showcase her unique form of artistry and Avery Research Center will present an exhibition showcasing materials from their Sweetgrass basket collection.
There is no admission fee and parking is free. The festival is a family event and no alcohol is sold. Animals, skateboards and bicycles are not allowed. Businesses interested in becoming a sponsor for the event should contact Thomasena Stokes-Marshall at (843) 856-9732.
Click here to view the brochure (PDF)!
PLEASE NOTE! Our website address has recently changed. Please be sure to link to this address, www.sweetgrassfestival.org, from your website or printed materials. Thank you! Help spread the word!
Mission Statement: To Preserve the Heritage, Legacy and Traditions of the Gullah Geechee culture and their Sweetgrass Basket Making Art form. To protect the Sweetgrass Natural Habitats and its environment from destruction by; utilizing the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival as a venue to bring focus and attention to the declining natural habitat locations where basket makers harvest the sweetgrass needed to produce their art form. To establish collaborative partnerships with state, local and national organizations/agencies to support our efforts to protect and preserve the Gullah Geechee Culture and the sweetgrass basket art form. To be totally
inclusive of all sweetgrass basket makers in our efforts pursuit
to protect and preserve the culture and art form. |
