SerpApi.Org
CHARLESTON — Local weaver Corey Alston can now say he’s created the largest sweetgrass basket in the world.
The South Carolina State Museum announced July 22 in a press release that “Big Percy,” a basket Alston handmade, is the new Guinness World Records title holder for the largest sweetgrass basket. The museum unveiled the basket in February, after commissioning Alston to make it a year ago.
The basket was officially measured by Cox & Dinkins Inc. at 43.3 inches wide and 52.6 inches tall, according to the press release.
“Being recognized for this world record achievement is bigger than a personal achievement for me,” Alston said in the release. “Big Percy represents generations of preservation and cultural continuance. From an artform of forced slave labor to now be recognized as one of the oldest handcrafted arts of the world, to be a World Record Holder is everything to me and the generations to come.”
A fifth-generation basket weaver who sells his work at the Charleston City Market, Alston has perfected the skill for over 20 years now. A tradition derived from African culture of the Gullah Geechee, he previously told The Post and Courier the Gullah Geechee have woven baskets mainly out of sweetgrass since the 1600s.
Alston has made products for many establishments including the Smithsonian Institution, the Duke Endowment and the Charleston Visitor Center. Last year, Alston was asked to make a last-minute sweetgrass rice fanner that was gifted to President Joe Biden on his last full day in office.
Amy Bartow-Melia, executive director of the State Museum, said in the press release that the museum is proud to celebrate both Alston and the living tradition of sweetgrass basketry.
“This achievement is a powerful moment for the Museum and the state of South Carolina,” Bartow-Melia said. “Having ‘Big Percy’ recognized on a global stage reinforces the importance of preserving and sharing South Carolina’s stories, artistry and history with audiences everywhere.”
The Museum thanked the International African American Museum in Charleston for its assistance; the sweetgrass woven into “Big Percy” was cultivated from the sweetgrass field in IAAM’s African Ancestors Memorial Garden.
The South Carolina State Museum will be celebrating the achievement with Alston at a party on Aug. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and will feature a live performance by Grammy-winning musical ensemble Ranky Tanky.
