Meet Corey Alston
Gullah Sweetgrass Basket Weaver at Charleston City Market
Corey Alston knows a thing or two about preserving tradition.
As a Gullah Geechee native, Corey has dedicated his life to sharing his heritage through cooking classes, interactive workshops, community outreach, and the handwoven Sweetgrass Baskets that have defined Gullah culture for generations. His family has practiced the art of Sweetgrass Basket weaving for nearly five generations, and today, Corey continues that legacy at the Charleston City Market. There, visitors quickly discover that his warm smile and passion for Gullah history are just as memorable as the baskets themselves.
Why Are Sweetgrass Baskets Unique to the Lowcountry?
“You won’t find authentic Sweetgrass Baskets anywhere else in America. West Africans brought this skill to the Lowcountry during enslavement. Today, the Gullah people proudly carry on that tradition.”
What Has Been Your Favorite Custom Piece?
“My favorite custom piece is the basket I created for the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. I spent a little more than four months completing it, and I named it From Traditional to Contemporary.
The basket measures 33 inches tall and 33 inches wide. However, its meaning matters even more than its size. The Smithsonian asked me to create a Sweetgrass Basket that would represent Gullah heritage on a national stage. That opportunity truly honored me, and I felt incredibly grateful to serve as the artist for the project.”
How Do You Create a Sweetgrass Basket?
“Every basket begins with harvesting the natural materials. After gathering the sweetgrass, I let it dry for three to four weeks. Then I begin weaving.
Most days, I weave for 12 to 13 hours. I usually spend eight hours working at the Charleston City Market. Afterwards, I continue weaving for another four or five hours at home after dinner before going to bed. Then I wake up and begin the process again.”
As a Fifth-Generation Weaver, How Have You Made the Craft Your Own?
“This tradition has existed in the United States for more than 300 years, so it’s difficult to say that anyone creates a truly original design.
However, every weaver develops a unique stitch. Because of that, no two baskets are ever exactly alike. Every piece tells its own story, and every basket is one of a kind.”
How Can Visitors Identify an Authentic Sweetgrass Basket?
“The easiest way to know you’re buying an authentic Sweetgrass Basket is to watch the artist weaving it.
Unfortunately, some shops in our area sell imported imitations that compete with authentic Gullah baskets. If you’re looking for the real thing, purchase directly from Gullah basket weavers at historic landmarks, visitor centers, festivals, hotel lobbies, or, of course, right here at the Charleston City Market.”
Visit Corey at Charleston City Market
You can meet Corey Alston and browse his handwoven Sweetgrass Baskets seven days a week at the Charleston City Market. Additionally, you can visit thegullahculture.com to learn more about Sweetgrass Basket weaving, Gullah culture, and Corey’s work preserving one of the Lowcountry’s most treasured artistic traditions.
