The South Carolina State Museum has announced Big Percy, a monumental sweetgrass basket created by master artisan Corey Alston, is the new Guinness World Records title holder for the largest sweetgrass basket. The Museum will also celebrate this exciting achievement with Alston at a special event August 7, featuring live music and more.
Officially measured by Cox & Dinkins Inc at 44.1 inches long, 43.3 inches wide, and 52.6 inches tall, this historic designation for Big Percy highlights both the artistry and cultural legacy of the Lowcountry’s centuries-old sweetgrass basket weaving tradition.
“Being recognized for this world record achievement is bigger than a personal achievement for me.” Alston said. “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 born and raised in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Alston’s baskets have been commissioned by a host of entities institutions including the Smithsonian Institution, the Duke Endowment, the Charleston Visitor Center, and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City.
“This achievement is a powerful moment for the Museum and the state of South Carolina,” said Amy Bartow-Melia, Executive Director of the State Museum. “We are proud to celebrate Corey Alston and the living tradition of sweetgrass basketry. 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 is also thankful to the International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston for their assistance in the historic achievement. The sweetgrass woven into Corey Alston’s Big Percy was cultivated from the sweetgrass field located within the IAAM’s African Ancestors Memorial Garden.
On August 7, from 10:30 am to noon, the Museum will host a party and plaque presentation celebrating Corey Alston and Big Percy. The event is free to the public and will feature a live performance by the Grammy-winning musical ensemble “Ranky Tanky,” as well as remarks from Alston and treats provided by Sweet GG’s Bakery.
Big Percy is currently on view at the South Carolina State Museum. Visitors are encouraged to experience the record-breaking work and learn more about the legacy of sweetgrass basket weaving.
For more information, visit scmuseum.org.
Photo from the SC Museum.
