McKissick Museum has actively collected, preserved, and exhibited folk materials since its founding. Folk materials, also called traditional crafts, are those objects that are created primarily for a utilitarian need yet which also reflect cultural traditions of the community, current popular taste, and the artist’s unique style. Additionally, folk materials are usually produced by hand-labor using traditional materials and processes.

Baskets
         Baskets are an excellent example of the evolution of traditional crafts; they are an ancient craft that has developed into modern decorative art. Baskets were traditionally produced to serve utilitarian purposes: gathering, storage, carrying, food preparation, and measurement. Contemporary baskets are created more for display than for a utilitarian need though they are often composed of traditional materials and created using traditional methods. Additionally, contemporary baskets often combine non-traditional materials (like plastic) with traditional materials. McKissick collects both older, functional baskets and contemporary, display baskets.

Sweetgrass Basket
Florence Mazyck, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
c.1996

Catawba Indian Pottery

Catawba Indian Pottery
Earl Robbins, Rock Hill, S.C.
c. 1985

For more information on McKissick Museum's traditional crafts collection or other parts of our permanent collections, write McKissick Museum Collections Manager Jill Koverman or call (803) 777-7251.