“Big Percy” Arrives at the State Museum

In 2024, the museum commissioned acclaimed Gullah Geechee artist and cultural ambassador Corey Alston to create a sweetgrass basket masterpiece for its collection. Potentially the largest sweetgrass basket in existence, this amazing work of craftsmanship marks a significant step in preserving and showcasing the ongoing legacy of Gullah craftsmanship in the 21st century.  
 

"This is one of the proudest pieces of my career and will always have a special place in my heart," said Corey Alston.  

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 art form 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. His 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). 

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. He would often work on the basket at his table in the Charleston City Market, using 85% bullrush, a hard grass selected by Alston to ensure the piece would last for generations to come. By January 2026, due to its large size, the artist had to build a custom weaving cradle and rotating stand to complete “Big Percy.” The inspiration for the work’s name came from the iconic character in the 1974 comedy Uptown Saturday Night. 

The sweetgrass basket was unveiled to the public at the South Carolina State Museum in February 2026. According to Alston, the basket is large and strong enough to hold 200–300 white potatoes and 40–50 watermelons. In total, he worked on the piece for a full year, weaving between 16-18 hours a day in the final weeks before the basket was completed. 

Guests can see the amazing “Big Percy” on display in the Lipscomb Art Gallery on their next visit to the South Carolina State Museum.

STAY TUNED, we have lots more exciting news to share about this amazing new addition to the museum's collection coming soon!